DK Shivakumar seeks Defence Ministry nod, lower licence fee for 2 acres needed for Bengaluru tunnel road…

Fresh updates from the financial markets indicate that Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar has sought Union Defence Ministry’s clearance for land required for the proposed Bengaluru urban vehicular twin-tunnel project, which aims to connect Hebbal with Central Silk Board.

Shivakumar, who met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 28, stated project requires 2 acres of Defence land near Hebbal for a vital ramp. He additionally sought a reduction in the licence fee demanded by Defence authorities for land required for the underground tunnel.

According to the letter, 2-acre parcel was earlier part of Hebbal Defence Dairy Farm. A revised proposal submitted on March 25, 2025, sought the transfer of the land.

Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) emerged as the lowest bidder for both packages of the 16.75-km tunnel road project between Central Silk Board and Hebbal in December 2025. That stated, the contract has yet to be awarded.  The state government had estimated the total project cost at Rs 17,698 crore, while Adani Enterprises quoted Rs 22,267 crore, around Rs 4,600 crore elevated than the government’s estimate.

Additionally, read: Gautam Adani meets Karnataka CM Shivakumar after Adani Enterprises emerges lowest bidder for tunnel road project Defence land at Mehkri Circle

The project additionally passes through Defence land in the PRTC and DGQA areas near Mehkri Circle. The state government has sought permission to execute the tunnel without disturbing the surface land.

The letter stated the application for this land was submitted on March 25, 2025. That stated, the Board of Officers, through an order dated July 29, 2026, directed payment of 33 percent of the land cost as licence fee, amounting to Rs 61 crore.

Shivakumar has asked Defence Ministry to reduce the licence fee to 2 percent of the land cost, describing the existing demand as excessive. CM seeks faster clearance

The CM has additionally requested Defence Ministry to expedite the transfer of the required land parcels under Equal Value Land (EVL) or Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) policy.

The proposed tunnel road is among several Bengaluru infrastructure projects for which state government is seeking access to Defence land.

The letter additionally seeks Defence land for an 18-metre-wide link road from Airport Road (Bellari Road) to Sarovara Layout, requiring 7 acres. The state government has stated the road would improve connectivity and urban infrastructure in the area.

Other Bengaluru projects involving Defence land

Shivakumar has additionally sought approval for widening the road at Mekhri Circle on Bellari Road. The Greater Bengaluru Authority has sought 0.7 acres of Defence land for the project, which would widen the existing two-lane road to three lanes and ease a bottleneck on the route to the airport.

The CM’s letter additionally raises other issues involving Defence land, including redevelopment of notified slums, development of a public park on 730 acres near Ibbalur Firing Range, and rationalisation of height restrictions around HAL Airport and Air Force Station Yelahanka.