Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Govt Explores Lalbagh Tunnel Alternatives After Public Protests
The Karnataka government wants to build a tunnel road across Bengaluru.
The road would connect Hebbal with the Central Silk Board area.
People worried that the project could use land from Lalbagh, a famous botanical garden.
Citizens and environmentalists held protests, including a human chain.
The government then withdrew a bill that could have allowed some park land to be used for infrastructure.
Officials are now searching for routes that do not touch Lalbagh.
They are studying places such as NIMHANS land, cemetery land near Wilson Garden and Lalbagh Road.
Experts also warned that digging could harm very old rocks and nearby groundwater.
The Karnataka government is examining alternative routes for a proposed 17.5-km tunnel road to avoid Lalbagh.
Officials are considering alternative entry and exit points, including NIMHANS land, cemetery land near Wilson Garden, and a route beneath Lalbagh Road.
The move follows protests by citizens, environmentalists, walkers and opposition parties against using park land for infrastructure.
The Karnataka Government Parks Preservation Amendment Bill, 2026, was withdrawn after public opposition to allowing infrastructure use of up to five per cent of park land.
The Geological Survey of India warned that construction could threaten Lalbagh’s ancient Peninsular Gneiss formation and affect nearby groundwater flows.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, including Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, is reviewing the project amid opposition from citizens and environmentalists.
- What
- Officials are exploring alternative alignments for a proposed 17.5-km tunnel road so that Lalbagh is not used or disturbed.
- When
- The update was reported on September 12, 2026; the government’s alternative-options team had been working for about 10 days.
- Where
- The proposed tunnel would connect Hebbal in north Bengaluru with the Central Silk Board area in the south; alternatives include areas near NIMHANS, Wilson Garden and Lalbagh Road.
- Why
- The government is responding to protests and concerns about park-land use, possible damage to Lalbagh’s ancient rock formation and effects on groundwater.
Government Position
Public and Environmental Concerns
Tunnel alignment
Government Position
The government says it is examining alternative entry and exit points to avoid Lalbagh and reduce or avoid land acquisition.
Public and Environmental Concerns
Citizens and environmentalists oppose any diversion of park land and have demanded that Lalbagh remain untouched.
Parks amendment bill
Government Position
The government said the bill could be reconsidered after public discussion and suggestions from the public and Opposition.
Public and Environmental Concerns
Protesters feared the provision allowing up to five per cent of park and garden land for infrastructure could enable acquisition of Lalbagh land for the tunnel.
Environmental impact
Government Position
Officials are evaluating multiple locations before deciding whether land acquisition would be necessary.
Public and Environmental Concerns
The Geological Survey of India warned that construction could affect Lalbagh’s ancient rock formation and groundwater flows.
- Proposed road length
- 17.5 kilometres
- Estimated project cost
- Around ₹17,700 crore
- Planned connection
- Hebbal to the Central Silk Board area
- Main site at issue
- Lalbagh botanical garden
- Alternative options under review
- NIMHANS land, cemetery land near Wilson Garden, and a route beneath Lalbagh Road
- Withdrawn legislation
- Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Geological concern
- The Geological Survey of India warned about risks to the roughly three-billion-year-old Peninsular Gneiss formation and nearby groundwater flows