Bengaluru: The proposed tunnel road project in Bengaluru, aimed at easing traffic congestion, has turned into a political battleground between Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya. Responding to repeated objections from Surya and the BJP, Shivakumar on Saturday clarified that the project will continue as planned, asserting that opposition cannot halt its progress.

Shivakumar addresses public concerns

Speaking at the fifth edition of the ‘Walk with Bengaluru’ citizen outreach programme organised by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) at Gandhi Park in Nagarabhavi, Shivakumar assured residents that Lalbagh Botanical Garden will remain largely untouched. “We will not cause any damage to Lalbagh as the tunnel will be built underneath the garden. We will only use one acre of the park to carry out the work, and post completion, the area will be restored and handed over to the horticulture department,” he said.

Shivakumar also defended the project’s underground design, citing successful examples from historic cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi. “The tunnel road must be built under Bengaluru — not outside the city! There will be no damage to any structure,” he added.

Political sparring with Tejasvi Surya

The DCM directly responded to Surya’s opposition, stating, “All empty talk, says DCM. Their intention is to prevent the government from gaining a good name through this work. They could not even think of taking up such welfare projects for citizens.”

He further addressed criticism that the tunnel road will serve primarily car users and city elites, saying, “I agree that it is only for car users and those willing to pay toll. If it concerns him (Surya), let him present a plan for Bengaluru. Despite being a parliamentarian, he could not secure even Rs 10 in special grants for city development.”

Shivakumar also slammed BJP leaders who have threatened to dismantle the GBA if elected, saying, “This new system of city governance will continue. Even as their leaders make noise, their workers are preparing to contest under the same system they pretend to oppose.”

Openness to alternative ideas

While asserting that the project will proceed, Shivakumar said he remains open to discussing alternative proposals, stating, “Let anyone oppose the project, I won’t bother. Eventually, it is the work that will speak for itself.”

The tunnel road project, estimated to cost between Rs 17,780 crore and Rs 19,000 crore, is a key initiative of the GBA to improve traffic flow across the city. The political debate surrounding its execution, particularly concerning Lalbagh and environmental impacts, continues to draw public attention.