Bengaluru South Member of Parliament L.S. Tejasvi Surya announced on Sunday that he has formally requested the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to undertake an impartial investigation. This study will focus on the potential geological and seismic repercussions of the proposed tunnel road, which is planned to run directly underneath Lalbagh, a beloved and historically significant green landmark in Bengaluru.
This urgent directive follows Mr. Surya’s recent visit to Lalbagh, where he inspected the specific areas designated for the tunnel’s entry and exit points.
His inspection took place just a day after Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar visited the same location. During his visit, Mr. Shivakumar had downplayed concerns, assuring the public that the project would only utilize ‘half an acre’ of Lalbagh and would not cause any damage to the cherished park.
However, Mr. Surya strongly refuted these assertions, arguing that the project’s actual footprint could impact close to six acres of Lalbagh. He declared emphatically, ‘Forget six acres. We will not allow the government to take even six inches of Lalbagh for this disastrous tunnel road project.’
A primary concern highlighted by Mr. Surya is the tunnel’s intended route directly beneath the Peninsular Gneiss, a three-billion-year-old rock formation recognized as a National Geological Monument. He issued a stern warning, stating that any drilling through such an ancient and significant geological structure would be ‘ecologically and geologically indefensible.’
He didn’t hold back in his criticism of the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) and feasibility study, branding them as ‘sloppy, unscientific, and utterly lacking in credibility.’ He pointed out the significant omission of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), further stating, ‘The DPR appears to be a copy-paste job, filled with vague justifications to dismiss legitimate concerns.’
Adding another layer to the controversy, Mr. Surya further alleged that the DPR surprisingly contains a proposal for a commercial complex within the project scope.
He lamented the apparent lack of public involvement, stating, ‘Once again, decisions are being made behind closed doors, without transparency or accountability,’ and highlighted that no public consultation had taken place prior to the project’s announcement.
Drawing a stark comparison to the recent Silkyara tunnel tragedy in Uttarakhand, Mr. Surya urged the State government to prioritize a thorough safety review and assessment before any tunneling work commences.
Mr. Surya concluded by emphasizing that Bengaluru’s urban development efforts should concentrate on expanding its mass rapid transit systems – including Metro, suburban rail, and integrated public transport – instead of ‘reckless tunneling beneath its precious green lungs.’