The proposed tunnel road project in Bengaluru has taken a key step forward with Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE) receiving bids from four prominent infrastructure firms.
According to officials from B-SMILE, the special purpose vehicle overseeing the project, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), Adani Group, Vishwa Samudra Engineering, and Dilip Buildcon Limited have submitted bids.
The project, aimed at constructing a 16.74-km twin tunnel connecting Esteem Mall Junction at Hebbal to Central Silk Board Junction in the southern part of Bengaluru, has been one of the most debated urban infrastructure proposals in recent years.
According to Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, who is keen on implementing the project, this project is expected to ease traffic congestion across key north-south corridors. However many have opposed the project and multiple PILs are pending in the High Court of Karnataka and the National Green Tribunal.
Deadline extensions
B-SMILE had floated global tenders for the project in July 2025, inviting bids for two separate packages. However, the deadline was extended multiple times due to limited interest from major firms. The tender, first issued on July 16, had a submission deadline of September 3. When no significant bids were received, the deadline was postponed to September 30, then October 29, and finally November 11. Officials claimed that all four companies submitted their bids before the final deadline.
According to the tender notification issued by the Superintending Engineer of B-SMILE, the construction period for the project is set at 50 months, which is equivalent to four years and two months. If executed as planned, the tunnel road could become operational by the end of 2029.
The project will follow a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model, with a total concession period of 34 years, which includes the construction timeline. The selected contractor will develop, operate, and maintain the infrastructure before handing it over to the government of Karnataka at the end of the concession term.
The twin-tunnel project will be divided into two packages. Package 1 spans 8.748 km from Esteem Mall Junction to Seshadri Road–Race Course Junction, while Package 2 covers another 8.748 km stretch between Seshadri Road and Silk Board Junction. Each section will feature two tunnels with three lanes each, equipped with dedicated entry and exit ramps to improve traffic flow.
At least eight Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) are expected to be used in the construction.
Varied expertise
The estimated cost for Package 1 is ₹8,770 crore, requiring a financial guarantee of ₹43.85 crore from the successful bidder. Package 2 has been valued at ₹8,928 crore, with a guarantee requirement of ₹44.64 crore.
The four participating firms bring varied expertise to the table. RVNL, a 100% government-owned PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has been expanding beyond railway projects into sectors like highways and power. Adani Group, a major Indian conglomerate, has an extensive portfolio in infrastructure development. Vishwa Samudra Engineering is a multi-disciplinary civil construction company, while Dilip Buildcon Limited is a leading infrastructure developer known for executing large-scale road projects.
Published – November 13, 2025 01:42 pm IST
