# Bengaluru tunnel road project bidding and political response

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bengaluru-tunnel-road-project-bidding-and-political-response
> Updated: 2026-08-23T08:51:10.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

The Karnataka government is advancing the ‘North-South Tunnel Road’ project, a 16.75-km infrastructure initiative designed to connect Hebbal and Silk Board to reduce traffic congestion. The project is slated to operate under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, with the state providing 40% of the cost through Viability Gap Funding and a private partner covering the remaining 60%.

Adani Enterprises Limited has emerged as the lowest bidder for the contract through Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited. The estimated project cost has reached ₹22,267 crore, a figure higher than the state’s initial estimate of ₹17,698 crore, due to requirements for advanced safety technologies and tunnel boring machines.

Amidst the bidding process, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani held a “courtesy call” with Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in Bengaluru. This meeting has drawn political criticism from the BJP, with opposition leaders accusing the Congress government of a “double standard” for engaging with the group. Additionally, the project faces legal challenges in the Karnataka High Court.

## Claims

- The meeting between Gautam Adani and the Karnataka Chief Minister was a courtesy call and no specific business was discussed. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Adani Enterprises emerged as the lowest bidder for the proposed 16.75-km Bengaluru tunnel road project. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The bid submitted by Adani Enterprises for the tunnel road project is Rs 22,267 crore. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The BJP criticized the Congress government for a double standard regarding the Adani Group. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The proposed Bengaluru tunnel road project will be implemented under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-23: Adani Group leads bid for Bengaluru North-South Tunnel Road

Adani Enterprises is leading the bid for Bengaluru’s 16.75 km North-South Tunnel Road project, a BOT model aimed at reducing travel time between Hebbal and Silk Board to 20-25 minutes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/adani-group-leads-bid-for-bengaluru-north-south-tunnel-road

### 2026-08-23: Gautam Adani meets Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar in Bengaluru

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani met Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar in Bengaluru. The meeting follows Adani Enterprises emerging as the lowest bidder for the state's proposed Bengaluru tunnel road project.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bengaluru-medical-shop-owner-killed-by-gang-in-madiwala

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Cite as: Bengaluru tunnel road project bidding and political response. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bengaluru-tunnel-road-project-bidding-and-political-response