Thu Sep 18 16:36:29 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru’s Proposed Tunnel Road Faces Scrutiny: Study Warns of Congestion, Pollution, and Public Transit Undermining
**Bengaluru, India – September 18, 2025** – A new study casts doubt on the effectiveness of Bengaluru’s proposed 16.7-km twin tunnel road, intended to alleviate the city’s notorious traffic congestion. The analysis, conducted by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), predicts that the project could worsen traffic on key parallel roads, significantly increase pollution, and divert commuters away from public transportation options like the metro and bus systems.
The study, led by Ashish Verma from CiSTUP at IISc, utilized traffic modelling and commuter surveys to simulate the tunnel’s impact under three scenarios: a tolled tunnel, a toll-free tunnel, and a scenario accounting for potential traffic shifts. Projections were made for seven future years, spanning from 2030 to 2060.
The results paint a concerning picture. In the tolled scenario, the study found that the high cost (estimated at ₹300 per trip) would make the tunnel inaccessible to most commuters, particularly those from middle and lower-income families. Even without tolls, the tunnel’s usage remained below its design potential.
A concerning finding revealed that the tunnel risks undermining recent investments in public transport. Based on surveys, researchers predict that up to 40% of car and two-wheeler users, and a third of bus riders, would switch to the tunnel, while only a small percentage of commuters shifted from private vehicles to the metro. “The tunnel will weaken public transport systems rather than complement them,” the study emphasizes.
Furthermore, the analysis suggests the tunnel will fail to decongest the crucial Outer Ring Road (ORR). In all scenarios, stretches of the ORR are projected to continue experiencing traffic congestion, with volume-to-capacity ratios exceeding acceptable limits. This is particularly troubling given existing plans for Metro lines along the ORR, designed to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
The environmental impact of the tunnel is also highlighted. The study forecasts that the project will increase emissions across all pollutants compared to scenarios focused on Metro and Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) expansion.
The study’s findings raise serious questions about the long-term viability and overall benefit of the proposed tunnel road, urging policymakers to reconsider its potential consequences for Bengaluru’s traffic, environment, and public transportation infrastructure.
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