Shivakumar Seeks Defence Nod, Lower Fee for Bengaluru Tunnel
The Chief Minister also asked the ministry to reduce the licence fee for the Defence land. A Board of Officers order dated July 29, 2026, directed payment equivalent to 33 per cent of the land cost, amounting to Rs. 610 mn. Shivakumar proposed that the fee be lowered to 2 per cent, describing the existing demand as excessive. The parcel was earlier part of the Hebbal Defence Dairy Farm, and the state submitted a revised transfer proposal on March 25, 2025.
Adani Enterprises emerged as the lowest bidder for both packages of the 16.75-km tunnel road in December 2025. The contract has not yet been awarded. The state had estimated the project cost at Rs. 176.98 bn, while Adani Enterprises quoted Rs. 222.67 bn, about Rs. 46 bn above the government’s estimate.
The route also crosses Defence land in the PRTC and DGQA areas near Mehkri Circle. Karnataka has sought permission to build the tunnel without disturbing the surface land and asked the ministry to expedite transfers under the Equal Value Land (EVL) or Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) policy.
The letter seeks 7 acres for an 18-metre-wide link road from Airport Road, also known as Bellari Road, to Sarovara Layout. The state said the link would improve connectivity. The Greater Bengaluru Authority has separately requested 0.7 acres for widening the two-lane road at Mehkri Circle to three lanes and easing congestion on the airport route.
Shivakumar also raised requests concerning redevelopment of notified slums, a public park on 730 acres near Ibbalur Firing Range, and rationalisation of height restrictions around HAL Airport and Air Force Station Yelahanka. These proposals form part of broader efforts to secure Defence land for Bengaluru infrastructure projects.