Tunnel road not possible without users paying toll, says Shivakumar
"Without a toll, no tunnel road will work," he said during his visit to New Delhi, and justified collecting toll by adding, "Other states have tolls in cities. Even in Bengaluru, tolls are levied on airport road, Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway, and NICE corridor."
The Karnataka cabinet had, in June, approved two major tunnel corridors under the build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model, where private players will recover their investment over 30 years through tolls.
Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, said global tenders would be floated "in the next two or three days" for the project.
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As per a detailed project report (DPR), the tunnel from Esteem Mall in Hebbal to Silk Board Junction will be 16.6km and will reduce travel time from 90 minutes to 45. It includes three entry/exit ramps at Mehkri Circle, Race Course, and Lalbagh. The estimated toll for the full stretch is Rs 330 for cars, with no mention of charges for other vehicles.
Other proposed tolls include Rs 320 for Hebbal-Sarjapur/HSR Layout (16.3km), Rs 250 for Hebbal-Hosur Main Road (12.7km), Rs 180 for Hebbal-Seshadri Road (9km), and Rs 245 for Mehkri Circle-Silk Board (12.5km). The tolls are projected using a 5% annual hike based on the wholesale price index, capped at 40%.
On Union minister HD Kumaraswamy's proposed underground infrastructure, Shivakumar said, "I welcome the suggestion (by Kumaraswamy).
Let anybody take credit (for the tunnel road project). Even if some finances can be arranged, I welcome it. Eventually, we want people to save time and commute faster."
On Tuesday, Shivakumar had met Jal Shakti minister CR Patil to seek Rs 11,123 crore for six irrigation projects and requested 25% funding for the Yettinahole project. He said forest clearance issues were also raised with environment minister Bhupendra Yadav.
On delays in the Rs 5,300 crore for Upper Bhadra, he on Wednesday, "What to do? The Congress is the governing party in the state."
On Goa's 2023 show cause notice over Kalasa-Banduri, Shivakumar said, "Who is Goa to issue notices?" and added Karnataka would support Goa's power line if Goa reciprocated on Kalasa. He also pushed for the Centre's approval for the Mekedatu DPR, saying, "The project benefits Tamil Nadu."
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