Chief Minister DK Shivakumar laid the foundation stone for Bengaluru's first tunnel road project on Sunday, intended to ease traffic between Hebbal Junction and Mekhri Circle. The six-lane, bidirectional two point two km tunnel will be built at a cost of Rs 11,390 million (Rs 11,390 mn) and is expected to be completed in 18 months with a maximum speed of 60 km per hour and no tolls. The event was attended by senior ministers and Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) officials. The tunnel will start at Bellary Road–Hebbal Junction, pass under a railway bridge and Outer Ring Road and run beneath the veterinary college campus before emerging near the University of Agricultural Sciences staff quarters. It is intended to provide a largely signal free corridor for traffic heading to Kempegowda International Airport and to ease congestion at key junctions. Construction is planned using cut and cover methodology with funding from the BDA. Officials said proposals have been submitted for a north-south corridor to extend the tunnel road from Hebbal to Silk Board, which they expect to complete in three to four years subject to approvals and land acquisition. The chief minister rejected criticism from opposition parties, arguing that previous administrations had not tackled the city's traffic and that the government would proceed despite dissent. He indicated that feedback would be considered but that decisions on development would not be compromised. Key technical features include a six-lane three plus three bidirectional profile with a carriage width of 10.5 metres for three lanes and a longitudinal ventilation system to manage air quality. Safety provisions will cover smoke detection, fire suppression, emergency evacuation and dedicated response mechanisms, together with CCTV coverage, a public address system, an emergency call network, tunnel radio and a voice message system. Construction will include open cut ramps and cast in situ box structures alongside the primary cut and cover approach.