Legal Challenge to Bengaluru's Rs 17,000 Crore Tunnel Road Project: Environmental Concerns and Political Tensions

Bengaluru's ambitious Tunnel Road Project has been challenged in the Karnataka High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by renowned actor Prakash Belawadi.

The petition raises serious concerns regarding the approval process, highlighting the project's advancement without conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and bypassing consultation with the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA).

A major environmental issue raised in the petition involves the tunnel's planned route beneath the Lalbagh Rock, a 3,000-million-year-old geological formation that holds National Geological Monument status.

BJP Member of Parliament and attorney Tejasvi Surya presented arguments for the case before the court.

Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha presided over the hearing, directing the state government to provide comprehensive information about any tree-cutting proposals connected to the project.

The court has additionally requested the Geological Survey of India to submit its expert opinion regarding potential environmental consequences.

The case is scheduled for its next hearing on October 28.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar criticized Tejasvi Surya for opposing the Tunnel Road project, questioning what contributions Surya and his party had made toward alleviating Bengaluru's traffic problems.

"Anyone can oppose. I don't care. They've gone to court because they don't want this government to get credit for good work. No land is being acquired for this project. It passes through a small stretch near Christ University. I will review it and make alternate arrangements if necessary. Lalbagh will not be harmed. A small portion will be used temporarily during construction and then restored to the garden," Shivakumar stated.

The Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project represents an ambitious infrastructure initiative designed to reduce congestion on the city's major arterial roads through an underground road network.

With an estimated cost of approximately Rs 17,000 crore, the project envisions approximately 35 km of tunnels connecting key areas including Hebbal, KR Puram, and Central Silk Board.

The project aims to provide signal-free, high-speed connectivity throughout the city, significantly reducing travel times and easing surface traffic congestion.