Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Oct 27: The controversial Tunnel Road Project in Bengaluru has come under judicial scrutiny after actor, director, screenwriter, theatreperson and journalist Prakash Belawadi filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Karnataka high court.
The petition challenges the project’s approval process, citing the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the lack of consultation with the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA).
It further raises environmental concerns over the tunnel’s proposed alignment beneath the historic Lalbagh Rock, a 3,000-million-year-old geological formation recognised as a National Geological Monument.
The case was argued before the High Court by lawyer and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya. Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha heard the matter and directed the state government to provide details regarding any proposal for tree cutting linked to the project.
The bench has also sought an opinion from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) on the potential environmental implications. The case is scheduled for the next hearing on October 28.
Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar hit out at Tejasvi Surya for opposing the Tunnel Road project, questioning the BJP’s contribution to addressing Bengaluru’s traffic congestion.
“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 said.
The Bengaluru Tunnel Road project is an ambitious Rs 17,000-crore infrastructure proposal aimed at decongesting the city’s arterial roads through an underground network. The project envisages tunnels spanning approximately 35 km, connecting areas such as Hebbal, K R Puram, and Central Silk Board to provide signal-free, high-speed connectivity and ease surface traffic.