Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Bengaluru BJP MPs Challenge Tunnel Road Project Safeguards
Bengaluru’s government wants to build roads through tunnels to help with traffic.
BJP lawmakers from the city say the project is not needed yet.
They say the plans do not have enough scientific and technical studies.
They also say legal changes weakened protections for parks and lakes.
One proposed tunnel would run from Hebbal to Central Silk Board.
They questioned why the cost of one project package nearly doubled.
The government has temporarily withdrawn a bill affecting park land.
It has said it will ask the public for their views before bringing the bill back.
Bengaluru BJP MPs opposed Karnataka’s proposed tunnel road, calling it unnecessary and inadequately studied.
Tejasvi Surya alleged amendments weakened protections for parks, lakes and independent transport planning.
The proposed long tunnel would connect Hebbal and Central Silk Board over 17 kilometres.
The first package’s estimated cost reportedly rose from Rs 5,484 crore to Rs 10,734 crore.
The state government temporarily withdrew the Parks Bill and said it would seek public opinion before reconsidering it.
- Who
- Bengaluru BJP MPs Tejasvi Surya, Shobha Karandlaje and P C Mohan opposed the project; the Karnataka government is proposing it.
- What
- The MPs criticised the proposed tunnel road, its rising costs, alleged lack of studies and changes to environmental and transport safeguards.
- When
- The joint press conference was held on Friday, September 4.
- Where
- The project is in Bengaluru, including a proposed 17-kilometre route between Hebbal and Central Silk Board.
- Why
- The MPs said the project could harm parks and lakes, weaken scientific scrutiny and divert money from more useful transport infrastructure.
BJP MPs’ objections
Karnataka government’s position and actions
Need for the project
BJP MPs’ objections
The BJP MPs said the tunnel road was unnecessary in its current form and demanded a comprehensive study of Bengaluru’s traffic before proceeding.
Karnataka government’s position and actions
The Karnataka government has proposed the tunnel road and has continued to consider the project, but the report does not provide a detailed government defence of its necessity.
Environmental safeguards
BJP MPs’ objections
The MPs alleged that changes to the Parks Act and Karnataka Tank Conservation Act weakened protection for parks and lakes, including Hebbal Lake.
Karnataka government’s position and actions
The government temporarily withdrew the Parks Bill and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said public opinion would be sought before the legislation was brought back.
Transport planning and spending
BJP MPs’ objections
The BJP MPs questioned the project’s cost escalation and said investment in Metro infrastructure would help more commuters than a tunnel road.
Karnataka government’s position and actions
The report says the government awarded the tunnel project and is pursuing the proposed packages, but it does not state its response to the cost and Metro-related criticisms.
- Long tunnel route
- A proposed 17-kilometre tunnel connecting Hebbal and Central Silk Board.
- Lalbagh land requirement
- Sources cited in the report said the project would require about six acres temporarily and one acre permanently.
- First package estimate
- The estimated cost reportedly increased from Rs 5,484 crore to Rs 10,734 crore.
- Second package estimate
- The second package was estimated at Rs 11,263 crore.
- Park-land amendment
- Tejasvi Surya said the Parks Act was amended to permit diversion of five per cent of park land.
- Lake-buffer amendment
- Surya said the lake buffer requirement was reduced from 30 metres to three metres.
- Parks Bill status
- The government temporarily withdrew the bill after opposition and said it would seek public opinion.