Sankey Tank faces threat as Hebbal-Silk Board Tunnel Road exit plan sparks concern

Proposed exit ramp near Sankey Tank from the Hebbal-Silk Board tunnel project faces opposition from locals and environmental groups over traffic and ecological impact.

The Hebbal to Silk Board tunnel project in Bengaluru is under scrutiny after authorities proposed an exit ramp near Sankey Tank, raising serious environmental and traffic concerns. The plan change follows revisions to the original tunnel design near Mekhri Circle, which initially included multiple entry and exit ramps across the city.

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The new exit, approximately 2.45 km long, has triggered protests from locals and the Citizen for Sankey team. Residents argue that the ramp could worsen congestion at 18th Cross, Sampige Road, and Sankey Road, threaten the lake’s delicate ecosystem, and impact underground water. They also warn that tunneling near residential and flood-prone areas could pose safety risks.

Originally, 16 ramps were proposed, four each at Hebbal, Mekhri Circle, and Vidhana Soudha, and two near Lalbagh and St. John’s Hospital. In the revised plan, three ramps at Mekhri Circle were removed, but the controversial exit near the lake was added, fueling opposition.

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Citizen for Sankey spokesperson Preeti Sundar Rajan stressed that soil testing, hydrological studies, and public disclosure are essential before any construction, cautioning that the current plan could threaten both the lake and nearby communities.

Adding to concerns, an expert committee led by Siddanagouda Hegaraddi of BMRCL recently reviewed the project and found the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was hastily prepared, with only four soil test points, overlapping metro lines, and potential environmental threats to Lalbagh, highlighting technical gaps in the ₹9.5 crore tunnel road project.