The proposed tunnel road project in Bengaluru, meant to ease congestion on the Outer Ring Road (ORR), has come under fresh criticism after a detailed study concluded it could worsen the very problems it seeks to solve. Conducted by urban transport experts, the study indicates that far from easing traffic, the tunnel road may reduce investment in public transport, increase air pollution, and still leave traffic snarled on the ORR. These findings cast doubt on the state government’s vision of quick-fix mega projects to address Bengaluru’s traffic crisis.
The study, commissioned by a consortium of academics and NGOs, highlights how tunnel roads primarily benefit private vehicles while sidelining public transport systems like metro and bus services. According to the analysis, priority should instead be on strengthening mass transport, which moves more people with less road space. By diverting large funds to a tunnel project, authorities risk starving long-term sustainable solutions of much-needed investment. Experts argue that this would create a vicious cycle where road expansion fuels private car usage, locking the city into deeper congestion and pollution.
Residents along ORR, already weary of daily traffic chaos, have expressed skepticism about the tunnel plan. Many point out that earlier projects, including flyovers and elevated corridors, were justified as congestion-busting measures but ended up offering only temporary relief. The new study reinforces this argument by showing that tunnel roads in other global cities have not eliminated jams but shifted them elsewhere. Critics argue that the same pattern could unfold in Bengaluru, with entry and exit points of the tunnel becoming choke points, leaving the ORR clogged despite the massive expenditure.
Risks to environment and health
One of the study’s major concerns is the environmental cost of the tunnel project. With increased car dependency, Bengaluru would see a surge in carbon emissions and particulate matter, adding to its worsening air quality. The study warns of health hazards, particularly respiratory issues, in areas surrounding tunnel outlets where vehicle fumes will be released. Environmentalists argue that the state, already facing legal battles over air pollution and lake degradation, cannot afford to fund infrastructure that accelerates ecological damage. Instead, they urge policymakers to integrate climate resilience into transport planning.
The study also points out that tunnel construction itself poses risks to Bengaluru’s fragile groundwater systems. Given the city’s dependence on borewells and aquifers, deep drilling for tunnels could disrupt water recharge patterns. Similar cases have been documented in other Indian cities where underground infrastructure worsened water shortages. Activists warn that rushing into mega projects without thorough environmental assessments could create irreversible long-term problems. They stress that investments should focus on expanding metro lines, improving BMTC’s fleet, and strengthening last-mile connectivity rather than short-sighted tunnel projects.
Citizens’ groups have long argued that Bengaluru’s traffic problem is not due to a lack of roads but due to the absence of effective management. The study echoes this sentiment, noting that vehicle ownership has risen exponentially while public transport remains underfunded. The report warns that creating more space for cars, whether through flyovers or tunnels, will only encourage more private vehicles on the road, eventually overwhelming any new infrastructure. Instead, prioritizing walking, cycling, and efficient bus systems would yield greater benefits for the city’s mobility and quality of life.
Another striking revelation from the study is the financial burden of the tunnel project. The proposed cost runs into several thousand crores, money that could fund the purchase of thousands of modern buses or accelerate delayed metro lines. By channeling such vast sums into a car-centric solution, the government risks leaving Bengaluru with an underperforming project and no funds for alternative options. Experts caution that such misplaced priorities may lock the city into decades of debt while still leaving commuters stuck in endless traffic jams.
The study also raises concerns over equity and inclusivity. Tunnel roads primarily serve car owners, who represent a minority of Bengaluru’s population. Meanwhile, the majority—who depend on buses, autos, or cycling—receive little to no benefit. Activists argue that investing heavily in infrastructure that benefits the privileged few while neglecting the needs of the working class widens social inequality. They call for transport justice, emphasizing that affordable, safe, and reliable mobility options for all citizens must be at the heart of government planning.
Environmental activists have also highlighted the psychological allure of mega projects like tunnel roads. Large-scale infrastructure creates an illusion of progress, allowing governments to showcase development while sidestepping tougher policy reforms. However, as the study demonstrates, this illusion often collapses within a few years when congestion resurfaces. The experts caution Bengaluru against falling into this trap again, urging citizens and policymakers alike to demand evidence-based solutions. They argue that glamour should not outweigh practicality, especially when the city is grappling with critical environmental and health challenges.
Public health experts quoted in the report underline that air pollution is already one of Bengaluru’s deadliest issues, with vehicular emissions being the leading contributor. The study warns that tunnel projects concentrate fumes at ventilation shafts, creating localized pollution hotspots. People living near these outlets—often residential communities—would face heightened risks of asthma, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. Without adequate safeguards, such a project could expose vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, to long-term health hazards that outweigh any supposed benefit from reduced travel times.
Urban economists argue that Bengaluru’s productivity is directly tied to its transport system. Traffic congestion currently drains crores of rupees in lost working hours and fuel costs annually. However, they caution that the tunnel project will do little to recover this lost productivity. Instead, by funneling funds into public transport upgrades, the city could enable millions of commuters to save significant time daily. Such savings would directly boost economic efficiency. The study emphasizes that sustainable transport investments create broader multiplier effects, benefiting not just mobility but also jobs, economy, and social welfare.
Interestingly, the study also examines global examples of tunnel roads. Cities like Sydney and Los Angeles invested heavily in underground roads only to later admit that they did not solve traffic issues. In several cases, tunnels created bottlenecks at exit points, leading to massive jams during peak hours. Some cities even faced lawsuits over hidden environmental and health costs. Bengaluru, the study warns, risks repeating these mistakes. Without learning from international case studies, the city could spend enormous sums only to find itself battling the same congestion in new forms.
Way forward for Bengaluru’s traffic crisis
Experts interviewed for the study insist that Bengaluru’s real traffic relief will come from reducing dependence on private vehicles. Cities like London, Singapore, and Bogotá show that congestion pricing, strong public transport, and strict parking regulations can transform traffic dynamics. In contrast, road-widening or tunneling projects offer only short-term relief while drawing more cars onto the roads. The study recommends reallocating funds earmarked for tunnels toward accelerating metro completion, introducing bus priority lanes, and incentivizing shared mobility options. Without such systemic changes, Bengaluru risks repeating mistakes of the past.
The state government has yet to respond formally to the study but maintains that it is exploring all possible solutions to Bengaluru’s notorious traffic. Officials argue that given the urgency of easing congestion on ORR, tunnel projects cannot be dismissed outright. However, with growing opposition from experts and citizens, the government is likely to face increasing pressure to rethink its strategy. For now, the debate highlights the widening divide between flashy infrastructure projects and sustainable urban transport planning in India’s tech capital.
The report suggests that if the government proceeds, Bengaluru may also face long years of disruption during tunnel construction. Residents living near construction sites could endure noise pollution, dust, blocked roads, and falling property values. Businesses along the ORR corridor could suffer losses from reduced accessibility. Commuters already facing daily delays might see their troubles worsen for years before the tunnel becomes operational. This hidden cost, the study points out, is rarely acknowledged but could make the project far more damaging than its planners suggest.
Civil society organizations have welcomed the study as a much-needed reality check. Many believe that Bengaluru’s traffic crisis has been used as a political talking point, with successive governments announcing grand projects but failing to deliver lasting solutions. They argue that this report equips citizens with facts to challenge such announcements and push for a more balanced approach. By emphasizing data-driven planning, these groups hope to shift the discourse from flashy infrastructure to genuine long-term urban reform. Such civic participation could be key in shaping the city’s transport future.
Politicians, however, remain divided on the tunnel road issue. Some ruling party members argue that the government cannot afford to appear inactive on Bengaluru’s traffic woes. They see tunnel projects as visible demonstrations of action, which may appeal to urban voters. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, accuse the government of fiscal recklessness and prioritizing contracts over common sense. The study’s release is expected to intensify these debates, with both sides using the findings to bolster their narratives. For citizens, this clash of rhetoric risks overshadowing the urgent need for practical solutions.
The study also calls for better integration between transport planning and land use policy. It warns that if Bengaluru continues to approve sprawling developments along ORR without investing in sustainable transport, congestion will only worsen. Experts suggest implementing transit-oriented development, where housing, offices, and commercial spaces are clustered around metro and bus hubs. By reshaping the urban form, Bengaluru could reduce dependency on private cars and enhance walkability. Such measures, though less glamorous than tunnels, could provide deeper and more permanent relief to the city’s congestion challenges.
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