• Source:JND
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Bengaluru Tunnel Road Update: With growing concern over the potential impact of the Bengaluru tunnel road project on the city’s iconic Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the project would not affect green spaces such as Lalbagh or the Vidhan Soudha. He emphasised that the project involves only a small stretch near the hill rock and that the entire tunnel will be underground.

He further said that the Bengaluru tunnel road project will take more than four years to complete. Speaking at a panel discussion organised by the NGO Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC), Shivakumar, who also serves as the Bengaluru Development Minister, said that the state government has proposed two six-lane tunnel corridors.

The Deputy Chief Minister added that the proposed corridors include one along the north-south axis, from Hebbal Junction to Silk Board, and another along the east-west stretch, connecting KR Pura to Mysuru Road.

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Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project To Take More Than 4 Years; Here’s Why?

Shivakumar said that the Bengaluru Tunnel Road project would take more than four years to complete, noting that the project would require considerable time for planning and execution.

“One or two years are not sufficient. But the planning, foundation, and groundwork will begin soon,” he said, adding that any decisions made by the government will be binding on the future government, as such plans cannot be changed once finalised.

Emphasising the complexity of the Bengaluru Tunnel Road project, Shivakumar said that the tunnel boring machines must be imported from China or Germany. “It takes about one-and-a-half years for delivery since we have requested a 13-meter diameter machine for a six-lane tunnel,” he added.

Lalbagh And Vidhan Soudha Under Threat?

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, accused Shivakumar on October 7, stating that the iconic Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Vidhan Soudha are under “grave threat” from the reckless project.

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However, the Deputy Chief Minister on Wednesday clarified that the project would not impact green spaces such as Lalbagh or the Vidhan Soudha. “Some people are claiming that Lalbagh will be taken over for the tunnel. How can I take away Lalbagh? Similarly, there’s no plan to bring the tunnel exit near Vidhana Soudha - it will be close to Freedom Park,” he said.