Constituted by the Karnataka Urban Development Department, the committee found that the DPR was prepared hastily, lacked sufficient technical evaluation, and contained major data gaps undermining its credibility.
Headed by Siddanagouda Hegaraddi, Executive Director (Civil) of the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), the panel observed that the DPR relied on just four soil test points for planning the extensive tunnel — an “inadequate and unreliable basis” for a project of such magnitude.
The committee also objected to the proposal to construct a tunnel shaft inside the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, citing the ecological sensitivity of the heritage site. It recommended that the location be reconsidered immediately to prevent damage to the green zone.
Weak Traffic and Technical Studies
The report criticised the DPR’s traffic analysis, noting that it lacked primary surveys and relied on secondary data and assumptions. The DPR failed to include peak-hour traffic figures, modal share estimates, and future commuter projections, making its justification for such a high-cost project “impossible to verify.”
The proposed tunnel alignment also runs almost parallel to the planned Namma Metro north–south corridor, raising concerns about duplication of infrastructure.
The panel found that key aspects such as BMTC route changes, suburban rail integration, and lane requirement forecasts were missing. Moreover, land acquisition plans, utility and tree relocation details, environmental and social impact assessments, and disaster management studies had not been prepared.
Design and Planning Deficiencies
The committee flagged inconsistencies in the lane configuration, pointing out that while traffic demand was projected only up to 2041, the DPR proposed a six-lane design intended for a 25-year horizon. It recommended extending the projection period or scaling down the design to align with available data.
Additionally, it warned that the placement of entry and exit ramps could worsen surface congestion, particularly near Palace Grounds and Mehkri Circle, where tunnel traffic would merge with existing junctions. The report advised at least a two-lane design for ramps and better alignment planning.
Overlaps With Other Studies
Urban mobility expert Sathya Arikutharam noted that both the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and the Urban Development Department’s panel had reached similar conclusions. DULT’s November 2024 review had already flagged that the proposed alignment did not align with the city’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) or Climate Action Plan and advised shorter tunnel segments instead.
The report also revealed that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioned the DPR before the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) completed its review, disregarding institutional checks.
Both DULT and the expert committee agreed that no primary traffic or real-time data had been collected, calling into question the technical and economic validity of the project.
