Tejasvi Surya seeks geological study for Bengaluru tunnel road project

Bengaluru: Bangalore South MP LS Tejasvi Surya has demanded a geological impact assessment study by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) for the proposed 18-km Bengaluru tunnel road project.

The project, which will connect Silk Board Junction with Hebbal, involves using 5.89 acres of Lalbagh land for a parking facility. The tunnel will pass beneath the historic Kempegowda Tower and the Peninsular Gneiss, a national geological monument believed to be about three billion years old.

It also includes commercial spaces and a rooftop garden above the tunnel, which will end with an exit near Ashoka Pillar.

On Sunday, Surya visited the Lalbagh Botanical Garden and questioned Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) officials about the project’s environmental assessment.

A GSI representative confirmed that no consultations had been held.

GBA officials maintained that the project does not require an environmental assessment as it falls under the city development category. “All the trees in the marked area are about four years old. We will transplant them elsewhere,” said a GBA official.

Speaking to reporters, Surya said, “The BMRCL also has a project here, but they are doing it without affecting the atmosphere. This tunnel project is a disaster.”

Citing the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse, Surya said an Environmental Impact Assessment must be conducted before constructing tunnels, particularly near sites of national importance.

Responding to Congress’ criticism that the BJP opposes development, he said genuine progress lies in fast-tracking metro lines, adding trains, and completing pending flyovers at Hosakerehalli and Ejipura.

While the MP insisted that GBA officials join him at the Peninsula Gneiss, they declined. Surya alleged that GBA officials were uncooperative due to “pressure” from the state government. “Two years ago, I met Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and requested him to drop the tunnel road plan, but they have not. I will put up a board in the park for people to voice their concerns,” he said.

His office has also filed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition against the project.

Ravishankar, a daily visitor to Lalbagh, said, “They should look for an alternative. The tunnel road is not an option. It is a 300-billion-year-old stone. We do not know what lies beneath; what if the rock collapses? It is unnecessary and dangerous.”

Several visitors urged the government to prioritise filling potholes and speeding up metro works instead.

“The tunnel project is only for people with cars in a city where the majority uses public transport. Basic assessments have not been done. Future generations will curse if this continues,” said Satya Arikutharam, an urban mobility expert.

DK Shivakumar has assured that the project will not affect Lalbagh and no trees will be cut.