Tunnel for Cyclists and Pedestrians Proposed in Bengaluru

• 0.5 km tunnel proposed to connect HSR Layout and Bellandur.
• Plan aims to improve safety for non-motorised commuters.
• Project faces hurdles over land ownership under Defence Ministry.

A proposal to construct a dedicated tunnel for cyclists and pedestrians under Defence Ministry land in Bengaluru has been submitted to city authorities, aiming to create safer and faster connectivity between HSR Layout, Bellandur and Sarjapur Road.

The non-profit group Street Frontier, which promotes sustainable mobility, has suggested a 0.5-km tunnel that would provide a dedicated passage for cyclists and walkers affected by the ongoing Blue Line Metro construction.

The Metro work has disrupted several pedestrian and cycle routes in the area, creating safety and access issues for residents and commuters.

The proposed tunnel would pass under defence-owned land connecting HSR Layout’s Sector 2 with Bellandur, helping decongest nearby junctions and reducing travel time for non-motorised transport users.

Urban mobility activists have described the plan as a forward-looking step for Bengaluru’s growing need for safe, walkable and cycling-friendly infrastructure. However, the project’s progress depends on clearances from the Ministry of Defence, which owns much of the land identified for the route.

“The idea is to provide a safe, continuous corridor for cyclists and pedestrians — infrastructure that will help make the city more livable and less dependent on private vehicles,” a Street Frontier representative told The Times of India.

The proposal has received backing from local residents, technology professionals and urban planners, who have urged authorities to fast-track approvals. Several public figures, including investors and startup leaders, have expressed support for the initiative on social media, calling it a “practical and sustainable urban design solution”.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have been informed of the proposal, which is now under review for feasibility.

If approved, the project will be one of India’s first dedicated sub-surface mobility tunnels for cyclists and pedestrians in a metropolitan area.