The Adani Group has taken the lead in the bidding process for both segments of Bengaluru’s proposed 16.75-km underground road corridor linking Hebbal and Silk Board. The project is envisioned as a major traffic decongestion measure, offering a high-speed alternative beneath one of the city’s most crowded routes.
Planned on a build–operate–transfer framework, the project will be supported by public funding to the extent of 40 per cent, while private investment will cover the balance. Although the bidding outcome marks progress toward execution, the price quoted by the lowest bidder has become a point of discussion.
The Adani Group has placed a combined bid of ₹22,267 crore, which is notably above the government’s benchmark estimate of ₹17,698 crore. For each of the two packages, the quoted amounts are roughly one-fourth higher than the original projections, raising questions around budgeting, returns, and long-term feasibility.
Other firms participating in the tender process also submitted offers above the official cost estimate. Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd was among the bidders whose financial proposals exceeded the expected range, indicating higher construction and financing costs for complex urban tunnelling projects.
Even as financial scrutiny continues, the tunnel corridor is widely seen as a critical addition to Bengaluru’s transport infrastructure, with the potential to improve travel efficiency and reduce surface-level congestion.
