Amid rising political heat and public debate over the controversial tunnel road project, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday extended an olive branch to the Opposition, saying he is willing to form a committee headed by BJP leader R Ashoka to address concerns and reach a consensus on the project’s execution.
The proposal comes just a day before Ashoka’s planned protest at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, one of the key areas affected by the proposed project.
“There is no need for Ashoka to protest at Lalbagh. He is from Bengaluru and has represented the city seven to eight times,” Shivakumar told reporters after Rajyotsava celebrations.
“I am ready to form a committee under his leadership to guide the government on this issue. Let him examine the project and give suggestions.”
Open to redesign, says Shivakumar
Shivakumar said the government is open to redesigning entry and exit points of the tunnel road — including the one near Lalbagh — in line with suggestions from Ashoka and other experts.
He also offered to include other BJP MLAs, such as Malleshwaram’s CN Ashwath Narayan, in the proposed committee.
Reiterating his willingness to explore alternatives, Shivakumar said he had personally inspected the alignment near Lalbagh late Friday night.
“I am looking into alternative routes. There is no need for panic or misunderstanding. We will plan the entry and exit points in a way that benefits the city and its citizens,” he said.
Opposition, environmentalists raise red flags
The tunnel road project, aimed at easing Bengaluru’s notorious traffic congestion, has faced stiff opposition from environmental groups and political parties.
Concerns have been raised over its high cost, feasibility, and ecological impact, particularly near Lalbagh and surrounding heritage zones.
Critics argue that large-scale underground construction could threaten green spaces and alter the city’s heritage landscape, while supporters maintain it is crucial to decongest major traffic corridors.
Political implications
With political tempers flaring, Shivakumar’s latest move is being viewed as an attempt to defuse tension and build bipartisan consensus.
The project, seen as one of the government’s flagship infrastructure initiatives, has become a political flashpoint between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.
Ashoka’s response to the offer — and whether Sunday’s Lalbagh protest proceeds — is likely to shape the next phase of the debate on the controversial urban project.