Karnataka deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar

BENGALURU: A day after the state cabinet cleared the long-pending tunnel road project for the city, deputy CM and Bengaluru development minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday announced plans for a network of 114-km elevated road corridor to ease traffic congestion in the state capital.Shivakumar also announced a major revamp of the city’s waste management system under the ‘Swachha Bengaluru’ (clean Bengaluru) initiative, at a cost of Rs 4,000 crore. “Opinions have already been sought from the traffic police for this project [tunnel road],” Shivakumar said after holding a high-level review meeting.The meeting also discussed the ambitious two-phase tunnel road project, tenders for the first phase of which are expected to be floated soon. To address potential traffic bottlenecks at tunnel entry and exit points, Shivakumar said discussions were held with top officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), and the police.“No exit points will be allowed within a one-km radius of Vidhana Soudha. If traffic jams occur there, the entire city is affected,” he said.33 waste zones planned According to the new waste management plan, Bengaluru will be divided into 33 separate waste management zones — roughly one for each ward or major constituency.The project, estimated at Rs 4,000 crore, has been approved by the state cabinet and tenders will soon be floated for a seven-year operational term.“As part of the ‘Swachha Bengaluru’ campaign, a one-time clearance drive will be undertaken to remove building debris and other waste across the city. Citizens are encouraged to participate by informing GBA if they spot waste. Marshals and officials will be deployed for this,” the DCM said.Shivakumar added the govt will issue tenders for an integrated solid waste management system within next 15 days.