The Karnataka Cabinet is expected to take a crucial decision on the Adani Group’s bid for Bengaluru’s ambitious underground tunnel road project, a move that has emerged as one of the biggest infrastructure and political challenges for Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The project, designed to ease chronic traffic congestion in the city, has become the subject of intense debate due to both its massive cost and the involvement of the Adani Group.
The proposed north-south tunnel corridor will connect Hebbal Junction to Silk Board Junction through a 16.7-kilometre underground road network. The Karnataka government had earlier approved the project with an estimated cost of around ₹17,700 crore as part of a broader plan to modernise Bengaluru’s transportation infrastructure and reduce travel time across key traffic corridors.
The Adani Group emerged as the lowest financial bidder for both packages of the project after the bidding process conducted by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE). However, the company’s bid reportedly exceeded the government’s original cost estimates by nearly ₹4,600 crore, pushing the total proposed project cost to around ₹22,267 crore. The higher-than-estimated bid is one of the key reasons the matter now requires Cabinet-level consideration.
According to reports, Adani’s proposal is approximately 24% higher than the government estimate for one package and nearly 28% higher for the second package. Officials are expected to examine the financial implications before deciding whether to award the contract, renegotiate terms or explore alternative options.
The issue has also generated political attention because of the Congress party’s repeated criticism of industrialist Gautam Adani at the national level. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has frequently accused the Adani Group of receiving preferential treatment from the BJP-led central government. As a result, any decision by the Congress-led Karnataka government to award the project to the Adani Group is being closely watched by both political observers and opposition parties.
For Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, the decision is being viewed as an important political and administrative test. The tunnel road project is considered one of his flagship infrastructure initiatives aimed at addressing Bengaluru’s long-standing traffic challenges. Supporters argue that the project could significantly reduce travel times between major city zones, while critics have raised concerns about environmental impact, financial viability and future toll charges for commuters.
The project is planned under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) or public-private partnership model, where the government will contribute around 40% of the project cost and the remaining investment will come from private partners. In return, the concessionaire would receive long-term toll collection rights and commercial development opportunities associated with the project.
Despite its potential benefits, the tunnel road proposal has faced strong opposition from civic activists, environmental groups and some political leaders. Critics have questioned whether such a large investment would provide a sustainable solution to Bengaluru’s traffic problems and have argued that greater emphasis should instead be placed on expanding public transportation systems. Several legal challenges related to the project are also reportedly pending before courts and regulatory authorities.
The Karnataka government has defended the proposal by highlighting Bengaluru’s growing population, increasing vehicle density and urgent need for large-scale mobility solutions. Officials maintain that underground corridors could provide long-term relief for commuters while complementing metro expansion and other infrastructure projects planned for the city.
With the Cabinet expected to review the financial and technical aspects of the Adani bid, the upcoming decision could have major implications not only for Bengaluru’s future transport infrastructure but also for the political narrative surrounding large corporate participation in public projects. The outcome is likely to shape one of Karnataka’s most closely watched infrastructure developments in recent years.
