Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on Tuesday demanded that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar respond to what he described as “10 critical and unanswered questions” about the proposed Tunnel Road project, including its design, economic feasibility, and environmental compliance.
Addressing a press conference, Surya cited government data showing that private cars constitute only 19% of all vehicles in Bengaluru.
“Should a project funded by public money serve a small minority or the larger commuting population?” he asked, stressing that urban mobility investments should focus on high-capacity public transport rather than private vehicle movement.
Surya also questioned the government’s plan to provide ₹7,500 crore in Viability Gap Funding (VGF), arguing that the amount is nearly equal to the entire cost of the 19-km Yellow Line Metro, which caters to about 90,000 passengers daily.
“If the same investment can strengthen mass public transport, why push a project that increases distance, adds 2.5–3 km via entry ramps, and benefits a minority?” he said.
The MP urged the state government to release all technical reports and environmental clearances related to the tunnel project, calling for transparency and public debate before moving forward.