Bengaluru: Unfazed by public criticism of the proposed tunnel roads, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the ambitious tunnel road project linking Hebbal and Silk Board Junction would be completed in three years.

The Bengaluru development minister mentioned that a tender for the tunnel road project would be floated by February. “I have given them a deadline of three years to complete the project. The project will be implemented in two phases with funding from the government and BBMP. Several financial institutions have shown interest in supporting the initiative,” he said.

Asked about Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan's letter opposing the project, he said, “The tunnel project will be underground and will not require any additional land.”

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has finalised the detailed project report (DPR) for the 16-km tunnel road and recently issued a tender inviting bids for the DPR of a second tunnel between KR Puram and Nayandahalli.

The BBMP is reportedly seeking Rs 8,000 crore in loans over the next five years to fund the project. The civic body has said that three financial institutions have proposed the loan, with an annual interest rate of 9-10 percent and a flexible repayment period.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Mangaluru: Record-holder swimmer K Chandrashekhar Rai Surikumeru (52), who was known for performing yoga and somersaults underwater, died of drowning in the Mangaluru City Corporation swimming pool on Sunday.

Rai, who was a native of Surikumeru near Kalladka in Bantwal taluk, lived in Kudroli, Mangaluru. He is survived by his wife and a daughter.

He had been employed as a lifeguard at the swimming pool in Udupi under contract-basis and was working as manager of the MCC swimming pool for three years. He also worked as a lifeguard and swimming trainer.

On Sunday morning, Rai is said to have handed the security guard of the pool his mobile phone, saying he would practice for some time, but shortly after diving into the pool, he died of suffocation.

The post-mortem examination of his body was conducted at the District Wenlock Hospital and the funeral rites were held at his native place, Rai’s brother Radhakrishna Rai has said.

Rai, known for his skills in swimming, had entered the Worldwide Book of Records in 2023 by performing 28 front flip somersaults in a single stretch.