Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Saturday directed the state government to provide details by Tuesday, October 28, regarding plans to cut trees in Lalbagh Botanical Garden for the proposed 16.7 km twin tunnel road project. The direction came during a brief hearing of two PIL petitions filed by Adikesavalu Ravindra and theatre personality Prakash Belawadi.

Court hearing and government response

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Poonacha, orally instructed the government advocate to clarify the situation. Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, appearing for Belawadi, submitted that trees covering approximately 6.5 acres in Lalbagh are under threat, restricting public access. He also highlighted that a rock formation, millions of years old and protected as a monument, is endangered by the proposed project.

The bench sought a response from the government advocate regarding the petitioners’ concerns and asked for verification of any proposals for tree cutting. The advocate noted that since it was the fourth Saturday—a government holiday—she would make submissions after consulting officials on Tuesday. The next hearing on the PILs is scheduled for December 9, but matters concerning tree felling have been deferred to October 28.

The bench also ordered the issuance of notices to respondents, including the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the Geological Survey of India, in Belawadi’s plea.

Questions over project validity

The petitioners challenged the July 14, 2025, tender notification issued by the state government and the erstwhile BBMP (now GBA), along with the feasibility study report of December 2024 and the detailed project report (DPR) of February–March 2025. They contended that there was no lawful appraisal of economic viability, social impact, or constitutional validity for the project, estimated to cost between Rs 17,780 crore and Rs 19,000 crore.

The feasibility report, the petitioners claimed, was prepared hastily and contained factual inaccuracies, including references to locations without site-specific geological, hydrological, or biodiversity studies. They also criticised a flawed traffic model that excludes two-wheelers and autorickshaws, which make up 70% of Bengaluru’s vehicles. Even the DPR acknowledges that major junctions will remain saturated after tunnel construction.

Furthermore, the project has reportedly advanced without approval from the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Planning Committee (BMPC), raising constitutional and statutory concerns. Belawadi’s plea also emphasised potential negative impacts on Bengaluru’s groundwater and borewell recharge if the project proceeds.

The High Court’s directive underscores growing public and legal scrutiny over urban infrastructure projects in Bengaluru, particularly those affecting green spaces and heritage sites.