The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has commenced construction of a three-lane twin tunnel road from the Hebbal flyover to the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) staff quarters near Bengaluru, aiming to ease traffic congestion at the busy Hebbal junction. The project was inaugurated by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on June 28 and will pass through the premises of the Veterinary University and the Karnataka Veterinary and Fisheries Sciences University campus. State officials at the foundation stone event included Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, Energy Minister K.J. George and Shantinagar MLA NA Haris. The scheme forms part of a broader BDA infrastructure upgrade programme. During the 517th Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations at the BDA’s Kempegowda Layout, the Chief Minister announced the creation of Walls of Gratitude to honour landowners who voluntarily surrender land for public welfare projects. He said the government had decided to inscribe the names of landowners who gave up land without objection for projects such as industrial areas, schools, lakes and road construction on a Wall of Gratitude to commemorate their sacrifice. The initiative is intended to recognise civic contribution and promote voluntary cooperation for future projects. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a 10-lane road named after former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna and indicated it will eventually extend into a 123-km corridor. He said a Wall of Gratitude will be built along that road to preserve the names of contributors. He paid tribute to those who surrendered land and stated that their contribution would be remembered for generations and that the approach would be replicated for other infrastructure work. The BDA planted 1.5 million saplings on Kempegowda Jayanti and announced a tree-planting competition for schools under the Greater Bengaluru Authority, where students will plant and nurture trees in designated areas. The Chief Minister revealed plans for a Kempegowda Study Centre at Bengaluru University, noting that nine point five acres have been allocated for the centre. He added that a Rs 100 mn development programme is underway at Huthridurga as part of the scheme. The tunnel road project is presented as a measure to improve connectivity between Hebbal and the UAS staff quarters and to reduce congestion at a key city node. Construction through institutional campuses will proceed under arrangements with the affected universities and authorities and the BDA will co-ordinate implementation as part of its city infrastructure agenda.