2 days ago
Karnataka High Court Keeps Hebbal Tunnel Construction Moving
A court in Karnataka was asked to stop a tunnel project near Hebbal lake in Bengaluru.
The people who filed the case worry that construction could harm the lake and its water channels.
The government says the tunnel will not block water or use land from the lake bed.
The court did not stop the work for now.
However, it wants an engineer to explain how water will continue flowing safely.
The tunnel is meant to reduce traffic.
It will run near the Hebbal Flyover Junction and through the GKVK campus.
The project is planned to be 2.5 kilometres long and toll-free.
The court will consider the issue again after receiving more information.
The Karnataka High Court refused to temporarily halt the proposed tunnel near Bengaluru’s Hebbal lake.
The government said the project would not take lake-bed land or obstruct water inflow and outflow.
Petitioners argued construction could violate lake-protection rules and affect stormwater drains beneath the tank bed.
The court ordered an engineer to explain how water flow would be protected before next week’s hearing.
The 2.5-kilometre, toll-free tunnel is projected to cost Rs 1,385 crore and take 18 months.
- Who
- The Karnataka High Court, the Karnataka government, project authorities, and petitioners Guruprasad R K, Rishvanjas Raghavan, and Elizabeth Soumya.
- What
- The court refused to temporarily halt a proposed tunnel near Hebbal lake but sought an engineering explanation about protecting water flow.
- Where
- The project is near Hebbal Flyover Junction and would pass through the Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra campus toward Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University.
- When
- The ruling was issued on Thursday; the government must report by September 10 when the engineer will present the explanation.
- Why
- The government says the tunnel will ease traffic congestion, while petitioners fear it could affect the lake, stormwater drains, and legally protected water flows.
Petitioners’ concerns
Government’s position
Effect on Hebbal lake
Petitioners’ concerns
The petitioners say the tunnel would pass beneath the tank bed, where stormwater drains are located, and could affect the lake’s inflow.
Government’s position
The government says water inflow and outflow will not be obstructed and that the lake can continue to be used for any purpose.
Legality of construction
Petitioners’ concerns
The petitioners argue that Section 12 of the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority Act bars construction within 30 metres of the lake and ask the court to strike down the 2025 amendment.
Government’s position
The government relies on the amended provision, which permits construction if tank capacity is not reduced and natural water inflow or outflow is not obstructed.
Need for interim halt
Petitioners’ concerns
The petitioners requested protection preventing use of land near the lake until the legal and environmental concerns are resolved.
Government’s position
The court declined to halt construction immediately, saying it needed evidence that water inflow or outflow was actually being obstructed.
Key facts
- Project length
- 2.5 kilometres
- Estimated cost
- Rs 1,385 crore
- Expected timeline
- 18 months
- Proposed route
- From Hebbal Flyover Junction through the GKVK campus toward Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University
- Land-use claim
- The government says no lake-bed land will be taken; 3.45 acres below the lake’s buffer zone would be used.
- Court’s direction
- An engineer must explain how the project will protect the lake’s water inflow and outflow.
- Legal dispute
- Petitioners seek cancellation of the detailed project report and challenge the constitutionality of the 2025 amendment to Section 12.
Quotes
Shashi Kiran Shetty
Advocate-general representing the Karnataka government
“This short tunnel is under the tank bed, where there are several stormwater drains. In the government’s own DPR (detailed project report), there is an admission that the tank inflow will be affected due to this project. Further, referring to news reports, it is submitted that officials have come on record on this. There is no scientific study carried out before touching upon the underground of the tank bed.”
indianexpress.com
“no restriction will be imposed on use of the lake for any purpose”
indianexpress.com
Karnataka High Court bench
Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bhakru and Justice K S Hemalekha
“They have given a detailed reply. Before we pass any interim order, we must be satisfied that the inflow and outflow of the water is being obstructed. Merely because they are constructing a tunnel, we cannot do it. This is a contentious issue, and we understand that.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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