Bengaluru: Citizens and regular walkers at Lalbagh on Sunday staged a symbolic protest against the proposed Tunnel Road project by forming human chains and hugging the ancient peninsular gneiss rock inside the park.
The protest, organised by the Lalbagh Walkers Association, was aimed at highlighting concerns over the potential impact of the proposed infrastructure project on Bengaluru’s green cover, geological heritage and biodiversity.
The participants said the protest was a peaceful way of expressing their opposition after they were denied police permission to hold a conventional demonstration inside Lalbagh.
Human chains formed at Lalbagh
The protesters initially formed two human chains at Lalbagh to register their opposition to the Tunnel Road project. They later gathered around the ancient rock formation and hugged it as a symbolic gesture of protecting the city’s natural and geological heritage.
The participants said the action was intended to draw attention to the potential consequences of large-scale excavation and construction in Bengaluru.
According to the organisers, the geological formation inside Lalbagh represents millions of years of the city’s natural history and should be protected from activities that could potentially cause irreversible damage.
The protest also focused on the importance of Lalbagh as one of Bengaluru’s major green spaces. Participants argued that infrastructure development should not come at the cost of the city’s ecological and geological assets.
Organisers demand scrapping of project
S Umesh, president of the Lalbagh Walkers Association, said Lalbagh represented both the environmental and historical identity of Bengaluru.
“Lalbagh is not just a park. It is the lungs and history of Bengaluru. Destroying millions of years of geological history and centuries of botanical heritage for concrete infrastructure is unacceptable,” he said.
Umesh demanded that the entire Tunnel Road project be scrapped immediately to protect the city’s environment.
The association has been opposing the proposed project and has been using public demonstrations to draw attention to concerns over its possible impact on Bengaluru’s green spaces.
The latest protest was designed to emphasise that the issue extends beyond traffic management and infrastructure development, according to the participants.
Concerns over ancient geological formation
A major focus of Sunday’s protest was the peninsular gneiss rock located inside Lalbagh.
The protesters said the rock formation, which dates back millions of years, is an important part of Bengaluru’s geological heritage. They expressed concern that blasting and excavation associated with tunnel construction could potentially affect geological formations and the surrounding environment.
The participants argued that the city’s geological and ecological heritage should be given adequate consideration before major construction projects are undertaken.
They also called for detailed scientific assessments to determine the possible consequences of the proposed infrastructure works.
Activist raises concerns over multiple projects
Environment activist Dattatraya T Devare also criticised the proposed infrastructure plans and raised concerns about their potential environmental consequences.
He referred to the proposed Tunnel Road between Hebbal and Silk Board, the short tunnel between Hebbal and Veterinary College, nine elevated corridors and Metro double-decker projects.
Devare said these projects could cause permanent damage to Bengaluru’s environment. He also questioned whether sufficiently detailed studies had been conducted by experts before proceeding with such major infrastructure plans.
According to him, the combined impact of multiple large infrastructure projects needs to be assessed rather than examining each project in isolation.
The protesters said Bengaluru’s rapidly expanding infrastructure should be planned with adequate consideration for its existing green spaces, biodiversity and geological features.
Police permission denied, say organisers
The organisers said they had sought permission to conduct a protest inside Lalbagh but were denied police permission this time.
As a result, they opted for a silent and symbolic form of protest rather than holding a conventional demonstration.
Hugging the ancient rock became the central gesture of the protest, with participants seeking to convey the message that the city’s natural heritage must be protected.
The organisers said the peaceful nature of the demonstration was deliberate and intended to raise public awareness about the environmental concerns surrounding the Tunnel Road project.
Protesters plan larger demonstration
The participants said Sunday’s protest would not be their final demonstration against the project.
They announced plans to organise a larger protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru to intensify their campaign against the proposed Tunnel Road project.
The planned demonstration is expected to bring together more citizens and environmental campaigners who oppose the project.
The protesters believe that public participation is essential in discussions concerning major infrastructure projects that could have long-term implications for Bengaluru’s environment and quality of life.
Environment versus infrastructure debate
The protest has once again brought the debate over Bengaluru’s infrastructure development and environmental protection into focus.
The city faces significant traffic congestion and growing demand for improved transportation infrastructure. At the same time, environmental groups and citizens have repeatedly raised concerns about the loss of green cover and the impact of large construction projects on natural assets.
Supporters of infrastructure development have argued that major transport projects are necessary to address Bengaluru’s traffic problems. Opponents, however, maintain that alternatives should be carefully examined and that environmental assessments must be comprehensive before construction begins.
The Lalbagh protest reflects the concerns of citizens who want the government to prioritise environmental protection while planning long-term solutions to the city’s mobility challenges.
The protesters now plan to take their campaign to Freedom Park, where they hope to draw greater public attention to their demand to scrap the Tunnel Road project.