NHAI to Build Rs 51-Crore Tunnel-Style Service Road on Bengaluru Airport Highway
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated a significant infrastructure project in Bengaluru, with plans to construct a depressed service road on the airport highway at an estimated cost of Rs 51.27 crore, excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST). This innovative underpass, built approximately six metres below the main road level, is designed to separate local service road traffic from the main carriageway, addressing persistent traffic congestion and safety concerns.
Project Details and Scope
The ambitious project encompasses a 320-metre covered depressed service road, complemented by an 800-metre surface-level road. Key components include the relocation of Indian Air Force (IAF) assets and various allied works. The underpass will feature two lanes with paved shoulders, strategically connecting the IAF station's domestic area to its technical area while also linking the runway to Hunasamaranahalli Lake.
K B Jayakumar, project director at NHAI in Bengaluru, highlighted the critical need for this development. "This stretch is currently the only section without a service road on the 22.12-km Hebbal-Trumpet section of National Highway 44, formerly known as NH 7," he explained. "The absence of service roads forces many users onto the main carriage, leading to traffic congestion and accidents. This project aims to provide a dedicated route for service road commuters, preventing them from entering the main highway."
Construction Methodology and Timeline
This underpass will be notably longer than any existing one in Bengaluru, constructed using the cut-and-cover method. An NHAI official elaborated on this technique: "It involves excavating a trench from the surface, building the tunnel within it, and restoring the road through backfilling. This approach differs from the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) used for projects like the 16.75-km Silk Board junction-Hebbal tunnel road and underground metro lines."
Relocation of IAF assets, including the entrance gate and compound wall, is already underway, with approximately 200 metres completed. Bids for the project will be opened on February 25, and the contract is expected to be awarded by the end of March. While the official deadline is 18 months from the award date, NHAI aims to complete substantial work ahead of Aero India 2027, scheduled for February next year. Importantly, no traffic diversions will be required during construction.
Recent NHAI Developments in Bengaluru
NHAI has recently enhanced infrastructure on the airport highway with completed service roads at two locations: a one-kilometre stretch opposite Esteem Mall in Hebbal and a 1.1-km stretch at Jakkur, both approximately 10 metres wide. These efforts underscore NHAI's commitment to improving Bengaluru's transportation network, with the new tunnel-style service road poised to further alleviate traffic issues and enhance safety for commuters.
