Rithwik Projects Secures Hebbal Short Tunnel Project in Bengaluru, Sets 18-Month Completion Target

Bengaluru's Hebbal Tunnel Project Awarded to Rithwik Projects

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has directed officials to complete the proposed Hebbal short-tunnel project in Bengaluru within 18 months. The project, which involves constructing a 2.2-km, six-lane tunnel road along Bellary Road, was awarded to Rithwik Projects Private Limited after quoting Rs 1,139 crore for the project.

The tunnel will run between Hebbal Junction and the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) staff quarters via the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU) campus. According to sources in the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), the tunnel will be constructed using the cut-and-cover method. Despite concerns raised by the Karnataka finance department over the high cost of the tunnel, the project is moving ahead.

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The BDA is also planning a 1.7-km, four-lane elevated corridor near Mekhri Circle to ease congestion along the Hebbal corridor, one of Bengaluru's busiest stretches connecting the city to Kempegowda International Airport. Ground-breaking ceremonies for both the tunnel and elevated corridor are expected to be held later this month.

Shivakumar said that apart from the Hebbal tunnel and elevated corridor projects, the 10.8-km road in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, built at a cost of Rs 631 crore, would be inaugurated within the next 15 days. He also announced that 80 percent of landowners have already consented to Phase 1 of the Bengaluru Business Corridor project, while notifications for Phase 2 have been issued.

Bhoo Guarantee Initiative

As part of the government's proposed 'Bhoo Guarantee' initiative, Shivakumar announced a series of urban governance and property-related measures. The government will launch the 'Nanna Khata, Nanna Hakku' campaign from May 16 to facilitate e-Khata services across Bengaluru. Citizen open houses will be held every Saturday for three months at 50 locations across the city.

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The government will offer a 60 percent concession on B Khata-to-A Khata conversion fees if payments are made within 100 days. The fee, currently fixed at 5 percent of the guidance value, would be reduced to 2 percent during the scheme period. The government has also increased the permissible exemption limit for certain building violations, including setbacks, Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and height deviations, from 5 percent to 15 percent.

Shivakumar also announced a one-time settlement scheme for buildings constructed in layouts lacking BDA approval. Applications under the revised scheme will open on June 15 and remain open for three months. Separately, Shivakumar said 18,000 sites would be allotted to landowners who had surrendered land for the Shivarama Karanth Layout project.

Green Bengaluru Initiative

Marking the 50th anniversary of the BDA, the government will organise a large-scale 'Green Bengaluru' programme on June 27, coinciding with Kempegowda Jayanti. Shivakumar said that organisations, students, government employees, and citizens would collectively plant 15 lakh saplings across the city in a single day.