- By Shibra Arshad
- Sun, 02 Nov 2025 11:56 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bengaluru News: Tejasvi Surya, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) MP from Bengaluru South, has launched a campaign against the tunel road in the green city as he has urged residents to join the massive signature drive at Lalbagh Botanical Garden today, to oppose the controversial tunnel road project through the city.
Making a post on X, Surya “Tomorrow, there will be a massive signature campaign at Lalbagh. Save Bengaluru, stop tunnel road project. I request all citizens who care about our city and want to voice their opposition to this disaster to please come in the morning and sign. Will be there at 7.30 am.
Surya’s latest move is part of his wider pushback against the proposed tunnel road project for the Hebbal–Silk Board area, a scheme he has described as a 'wasteful, unscientific and ineffective' measure for improving commuter movement.
What Is Tunnel Road Project And Why Is It Under Fire
The proposed tunnel road is expected to cost around Rs 17,800 crore and cover a distance of 16 to 17 kilometres under the heart of Bengaluru. The tunnel road will pass under parts of Lalbagh, covering a rare rocky area called Peninsular Gneiss and other old heritage spots.
The Karnataka High Court has asked the state government to explain how many trees will be cut near Lalbagh and what harm it might cause to nature.
People living nearby and experts worry that land close to the tunnel entrances and exits could be used to build tall apartments, turning the whole plan into a real-estate deal.MP Tejasvi Surya wants the government to spend that huge amount on buses, metro, or other public transport instead of a big tunnel mostly for private cars.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar says Lalbagh will stay safe because the tunnel will be dug very deep. He also called Surya’s complaints just election-time politics.