Bengaluru authorities are studying a tunnel road at Goraguntepalya Junction to ease heavy traffic. The plan aims to divert through-traffic, reduce congestion, and improve signal flow, pending technical and financial approvals.
To finally fix the daily traffic jams at the super-busy Goraguntepalya Junction, the Bengaluru West Zone civic body has a new idea: a small tunnel road. They are chalking out the details for this long-term plan to make traffic flow smoother. Officials recently discussed this project in a review meeting with Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar. They all agreed that the junction needs a permanent fix for the traffic mess that's been going on for years.
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Why is a tunnel needed?
Goraguntepalya Junction is a major traffic hotspot in northwest Bengaluru. It connects important roads like Tumakuru Road and the Outer Ring Road to nearby industrial and residential areas. Every day, thousands of cars and heavy trucks use this route. Because of this, traffic crawls during peak hours, and you'll always see long lines of vehicles waiting at the signal. It's a common scene for anyone passing through.
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Constantly increasing number of vehicles
The city is growing, and so are the number of vehicles. Civic officials feel that small, temporary traffic fixes just won't cut it anymore. They think a small underground tunnel could divert through-traffic. This would reduce the load on the main junction above and make the signals work better. A senior official said, 'The traffic volume in this area has increased significantly over the past few years. It is necessary to focus on long-term infrastructure solutions considering future growth. The tunnel road option is being thoroughly examined technically and financially.'
A detailed study has started to see if this tunnel plan is technically possible and won't cost a bomb. The study will look into a few key things: the estimated construction cost; the impact on existing utility lines like water, power, and drainage; land acquisition and other building hurdles; and the expected reduction in traffic. The project will only move to the next stage after they've checked all these points.
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Financial possibility through GBA
If the study gives a green signal, the project might get funded from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) budget. But officials say the money will only be released after they know the final cost and get a nod from the state government. Right now, the tunnel plan is just an idea; no final decision has been made. Still, it shows that the authorities are serious about finding a permanent fix for the massive traffic at Goraguntepalya, instead of just temporary tricks. Whether this tunnel actually gets built depends on the final study report and if the government is ready to fund it.
