The proposed tunnel road project in Bengaluru has spiraled from initial public outrage and legal challenges into an intense political showdown, characterized by personal attacks and deep political undertones among prominent figures.
This past Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar reignited his feud with Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok went further, accusing the Congress party of a ‘threatening streak in its generational blood.’
Despite the tunnel road plan being unveiled over a year ago, the BJP only staged its first major protest on Sunday, rallying under the banner ‘Save Lalbagh, Protect Bengaluru.’
Initially, the BJP had raised concerns about potential irregularities in the Detailed Project Report (DPR). However, this opposition quickly waned, with only Mr. Surya consistently voicing objections in recent months.
Undeterred, Mr. Shivakumar pressed ahead with the project. He established a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) dedicated to major infrastructure initiatives, secured Cabinet approval, and obtained a loan sanction letter from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).
Public and Activist Outcry
As the political rhetoric escalated, public resistance also gathered momentum. Civic activists Kathyayini Chamaraj and Dattatreya Devare were among the first to raise alarms through public discussions. Environmentalists soon joined, highlighting threats to the city’s precious lakes and the glaring absence of mandatory environmental clearances.
Concerns specifically targeting Lalbagh and Sankey Tank soon came to the forefront. A study conducted by Ashish Verma from the Indian Institute of Science further indicated that the project might exacerbate emissions without effectively alleviating congestion on parallel routes like the Outer Ring Road.
The controversy intensified when Mr. Devare and fellow activist Vinay Srinivasa took the matter to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), citing significant environmental harm.
This legal move visibly frustrated Mr. Shivakumar, who publicly retorted, “Whenever development is planned, people bring a stay from the court. Now they’ve filed PILs — some sadists will always be there.” This remark signaled a clear shift from constructive civic debate to personal animosity and full-blown political sparring.
Political Attacks Intensify
Shortly after Mr. Shivakumar launched his ‘Walk with Bengaluru’ campaign, Mr. Surya made a public appearance at Lalbagh, emphatically stating, “Not six acres, not even six inches of Lalbagh will be given for this project.”
Mr. Shivakumar maintained that the tunnel was crucial for resolving Bengaluru’s severe traffic issues, pointing to the stalled Steel Flyover as a missed opportunity. He challenged Mr. Surya to propose a viable alternative solution.
In response, Mr. Surya advocated for bolstering public transportation. Mr. Shivakumar dismissed this idea as ‘childish,’ quipping, “People don’t marry daughters to men who don’t own cars.” Mr. Surya promptly countered that the tunnel road was intended to solve ‘social problems, not civic ones.’
The Deputy Chief Minister further escalated his attacks, labeling Mr. Surya ‘childish’ and ‘waste material,’ and boldly declared, “No one can stop me except God.”
Amidst rising tensions, Congress leaders accused the State BJP unit of politicizing the project, claiming that their national counterparts in Delhi actually supported it.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Mr. Ashok launched another scathing attack on Sunday. “Kempegowda built Bengaluru and dreamt of saving its lakes. Mr. Shivakumar claims his father’s name is Kempegowda. Is this how you honour the name?” he questioned.
He went on to accuse the Congress of having an ‘inherent threatening nature,’ referencing Mr. Shivakumar’s alleged intimidation of Mr. Surya, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Mohandas Pai, and MLA C.K. Ramamurthy. “Threatening runs in their blood; Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency and threatened,” he asserted.
Mr. Shivakumar, in turn, vehemently denied the allegations. “Why would I threaten anyone? Mr. Ramamurthy is my boy. Mr. Surya is a big leader — the same one who tried to open an aircraft door midair and was scolded in the U.S. for seeking to meet Trump,” he retorted, bringing up past controversies.
He then took another personal jab at Mr. Surya: “He tells people not to buy cars, yet he applied for one before his wedding. Why not travel by bus or Metro?”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also weighed in on Sunday, backing his deputy. “The public isn’t opposing the project—only the BJP is, for political reasons. Why oppose a project meant to ease traffic? Such tunnels exist worldwide,” he stated.
He further clarified that the tunnel was designed to benefit a wide range of commuters, including cars, buses, two-wheelers, and even pedestrians.
Civic Voices Speak Out
Civic activist Kathyayini Chamaraj responded to the Deputy Chief Minister’s “Only God can stop me” remark with the Kannada phrase ‘Prajegale prabhugalu’—meaning ‘citizens are the true masters.’
She stressed that the case before the NGT is supported by scientific evidence, and political posturing will not alter the facts. “The law will take its course. The public is already conducting awareness drives and keeping the debate alive—that’s enough,” she affirmed.
Taking a humorous dig at Mr. Shivakumar’s earlier comments about car ownership and marriage, she remarked, “So, only 25 lakh car owners are married, and the rest of Bengaluru isn’t?”
Both PIL petitioners declined to comment, citing that the case is sub judice and scheduled for a hearing by the NGT on Monday.
Another civic activist, preferring anonymity, suggested, “The opposition should channel its efforts into sustained debate and advocacy instead of occasional comments.”