Expert committee finds major gaps in Bengaluru tunnel road project report
Bengaluru: A key initiative of Bengaluru’s proposed tunnel road project, backed by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, has been called into question after a government-appointed expert committee identified serious flaws in its Detailed Project Report (DPR). The panel, constituted by the Karnataka Urban Development Department, said the DPR appeared to have been prepared hastily, with inadequate data and insufficient technical assessment.
Headed by Siddanagouda Hegaraddi, Executive Director (Civil) of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), the committee observed that the DPR relied on just four soil test points for planning the tunnel, according to a report published by The Hindu. The soil tests conducted are carried out in insufficient number for a project of this magnitude, as per the report. It also advised that the decision to locate one of the tunnel shafts inside the Lalbagh Botanical Garden be reconsidered, citing the ecological sensitivity of the area.
The report also pointed out major deficiencies in the traffic study and noted that the proposed tunnel would run almost parallel to the planned Namma Metro line along Bengaluru’s north-south corridor. The committee said that the justification for such an expensive infrastructure project could not be verified, without credible data on how many people would shift from private vehicles to public transport. It pointed out that, making its assumptions difficult to substantiate, the DPR did not include reliable peak-hour traffic data, modal share, or future projections.
The committee described the traffic studies as weak and noted that they were based on secondary information and assumptions and no field surveys were carried out to collect primary data. The committee further found that critical technical facts about mode-specific commuter distribution, predicted changes to BMTC buses, metro and suburban rail, and estimated lane requirements were missing from the study.
The DPR also lacked critical documents and studies about land acquisition plans, utility and tree relocation details, environmental and social impact assessments, disaster management and security plans, and pavement and drainage designs, according to the panel.
The committee observed inconsistencies in the proposed lane configuration. The DPR projected traffic demand only up to 2041, while it proposed a six-lane design intended for a 25-year horizon. The committee recommended either extending the projection period or adjusting the lane plan to match the available data.
The panel further cautioned that the placement of entry and exit ramps could worsen surface congestion, especially where tunnel traffic merges with existing junctions. It advised a minimum two-lane design for ramps and improvements in layout near Palace Grounds and Mehkri Circle.
Urban mobility expert Sathya Arikutharam, who compared the findings of the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and the Urban Development Department’s expert panel, said both reached similar conclusions, that the tunnel project lacked a sound transport or environmental basis. He noted that DULT’s review in November 2024 had already warned that the proposed alignment did not align with the city’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan or Climate Action Plan. He had also advised exploring shorter tunnel segments instead.
The report also stated that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) proceeded with commissioning the DPR before the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) completed its review and ignored the warnings. Both DULT and the expert committee found that no primary traffic data or real-time surveys had been conducted.
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Magh Mela: Over 21 lakh take dip at Sangam on Makar Sankranti
Prayagraj (PTI): More than 21 lakh devotees took dip in the Ganga and the Sangam at the ongoing Magh Mela here on Thursday on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, officials said.
A Magh Mela administration official said bathing began from midnight and by 8 am, around 21 lakh people had performed the ritual bath.
Given that the auspicious period for Makar Sankranti continues throughout the day, the number of pilgrims is expected to cross one crore by evening, he added.
Explaining the religious significance of the day, local priest Ravishankar Mishra said Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the sun's northward journey (Uttarayan).
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"The period from sunrise to sunset is considered highly auspicious, and worship of the Sun God and chanting of the Gayatri Mantra on this day is believed to be especially fruitful," he said.
Divisional Commissioner Soumya Agrawal said the Magh Mela is spread over 800 hectares across seven sectors. More than 25,000 toilets have been set up in the fair area, and over 3,500 sanitation workers have been deployed.
Agrawal said a tent city has been established at the Magh Mela for visitors wishing to observe short-term 'Kalpvas' (period dedicated to spiritual purification), offering facilities such as meditation and yoga. To facilitate smooth movement of devotees, services like bike taxis and golf carts have also been arranged.
Superintendent of Police (Magh Mela) Neeraj Pandey said over 10,000 police personnel have been deployed across the fair area to ensure the safety of pilgrims and smooth crowd movement. For effective crowd and traffic management, 42 temporary parking facilities have been developed this year, with capacity to accommodate more than one lakh vehicles.
He added that multiple ghats have been constructed for the Magh Mela 2025-26, equipped with all basic amenities, including changing rooms for devotees.
