Bengaluru Floats Rs 177 Billion Tender for Tunnel Road

17 Jul 2025 CW Team

Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE), a special purpose vehicle of the Karnataka government, has floated a global tender for an ambitious underground twin tunnel road project aimed at decongesting the city’s north-south corridor.

The project, to be developed on a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model, has been divided into two packages with an estimated total cost of Rs 177 billion (excluding GST). Construction for each package is expected to take 4 years and 2 months.

The proposed project involves designing, constructing, and maintaining a three-lane twin tunnel road between Hebbal Esteem Mall Junction and Silk Board KSRP Junction. It will include multiple two- and three-lane entry and exit ramps.

Package 1, from Hebbal to Race Course Junction (Seshadri Road), covers 8.748 km at an estimated cost of Rs 87.7 billion. Package 2, from Race Course to Silk Board (8.748 km to 16.745 km), is valued at Rs 89.28 billion. An Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of Rs 446.4 million is required. The total concession period is 34 years, inclusive of the 50-month construction period.

The tender is set to open in September. Bidders must be registered with the BBMP or equivalent authorities like CPWD, KPWD, Indian Railways, MES, or National Highways.

Despite criticism, the Congress-led state government is moving forward. Transport experts have argued the funds would be better spent expanding Metro, suburban rail, and bus networks.

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya criticised the project as "elitist and unscientific," alleging irregularities in its Rs 950 million Detailed Project Report (DPR), which he claimed copied content from a BMRCL report and referenced cities like Malegaon and Nashik while analysing Bengaluru traffic.

Surya also questioned the credibility of consultants involved, alleging past blacklisting and scams. He said the project lacks mandatory clearance under Section 19 of the BMLTA Act from the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..