3 weeks ago
Karnataka High Court may stay Hebbal tunnel over lake impact
Bengaluru is a very big city in India with lots of traffic.
The government wanted to build an underground road, called a tunnel, near a huge lake named Hebbal Lake.
This lake is so big that it covers 143 acres, which is as large as many football fields put together.
Some people who care about the lake are worried that digging the tunnel could hurt it.
They fear the tunnel might block the water that flows in and out of the lake.
They asked a court to help them protect the lake.
The court told the government to show proof that the lake will be safe.
If the government does not give this proof in time, the court said the building work must stop.
The tunnel would cost about 1,385 crore rupees and would mean cutting down almost 900 trees, which the people who complained do not want.
The next court meeting is on August 20, and everyone is waiting to see what will happen.
The Karnataka High Court issued notice to the state government and warned it will impose a stay on the Hebbal tunnel project if the required affidavit on the lake's impact is not filed in time.
The court asked the government to confirm whether any study assessed the project's impact on Hebbal Lake, a 143-acre lake adjoining the Hebbal flyover junction, and on water flow patterns.
Petitioners argue the tunnel runs under the tank bed, where several stormwater drains exist, and say the government's own DPR admits the tank inflow will be affected.
The plea seeks cancellation of the DPR and a declaration that the 2025 amendment to the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority Act is unconstitutional.
The 2.5 km, toll-free, Rs 1,385 crore cut-and-cover tunnel is meant to ease Bengaluru's traffic congestion; the next hearing is scheduled for August 20.
The petitioners also asked the court to stop authorities from axing around 890 trees for the project.
- Who
- A division bench of the Karnataka High Court, headed by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K S Hemalekha, along with petitioners Guruprasad R K, Rishvanjas Raghavan and Elizabeth Soumya, and the Karnataka state government.
- What
- The court issued notice to the state government and warned it could stay the Hebbal tunnel project unless it files an affidavit on the project's impact on Hebbal Lake and water flow patterns.
- Where
- Hebbal flyover junction and Hebbal Lake in Bengaluru North, Karnataka.
- When
- The order was passed on Thursday; the court will hear the case again on August 20.
- Why
- Because the tunnel is being built near and under the tank bed of the 143-acre Hebbal Lake, and the court wants to verify that the project will not obstruct the lake's inflow or outflow or disturb underground water flow.
Petitioners (Lake Protection)
Government (Infrastructure Development)
Scientific study before construction
Petitioners (Lake Protection)
No scientific study was carried out before touching the underground of the tank bed; the government's own DPR admits the tank inflow will be affected, so independent hydrological, groundwater, flood-risk and environmental impact assessments are needed first.
Government (Infrastructure Development)
The project is a planned measure to ease traffic congestion, and the amended law allows specific construction works once it is ensured that the tanks' original capacity is not reduced or water flow obstructed.
Hebbal Lake vs. traffic relief
Petitioners (Lake Protection)
Building the tunnel under the tank bed, where several stormwater drains are located, risks blocking the lake's inflow and outflow and endangers one of Bengaluru's largest lakes.
Government (Infrastructure Development)
The tunnel is necessary because no further widening of the road, which is part of the National Highway, would be possible, making the underpass a key solution to the city's traffic problem.
Legality of the 2025 amendment
Petitioners (Lake Protection)
The 2025 amendment to the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority Act is unconstitutional and violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, since the unamended Section 12 prohibited construction within 30 metres of the lake.
Government (Infrastructure Development)
The 2025 amendment permits authorities to grant permission for specific construction works, but only after ensuring the original capacity of the tanks is not reduced and natural water inflow or outflow is not obstructed.
Key facts
- Court
- Karnataka High Court (Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K S Hemalekha)
- Project
- 2.5 km toll-free cut-and-cover short tunnel at Hebbal flyover junction
- Cost
- Rs 1,385 crore
- Hebbal Lake area
- 143 acres
- Implementing agencies
- Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA)
- Completion target
- 18 months
- Next hearing
- August 20
- Trees at risk
- Around 890
Quotes
Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru
Judge of the Karnataka High Court
“"The affidavit shall specifically confirm if any study has been conducted as to the impact of the project on the Hebbal lake. It shall also clearly state whether studies have covered the question as to whether the tunnel would cause any obstruction in the inflow or outflow of water or disturb the underground flow of water."”
indianexpress.com
“"If there is a delay in filing the affidavit, we will put a stay on the project. If you do not file the reply in time. So do not take this lightly."”
indianexpress.com
Sneha Nagaraj
Counsel for the petitioners
“"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 was 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
Sources
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