The Karnataka BJP, led by the Chief of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, launched a marketing campaign towards the Tunnel Highway undertaking on Sunday (November 2, 2025) underneath the slogan “Save Lalbagh, Shield Bengaluru.”
Mr. Ashoka made a slew of allegations, branding the undertaking as a fundraiser for the Bihar and Tamil Nadu elections. He described the proposed stretch as a “VIP lane”. He reiterated that the get together shouldn’t be towards improvement, however towards an “unscientific undertaking”. The opposition chief urged the Deputy Chief Minister to drop the plan and as a substitute give attention to increasing and expediting Metro works as an answer to Bengaluru’s visitors issues.
“Metro can ferry 60,000 individuals without delay in comparison with 19,000 automobiles the tunnel can deal with. For us, Metro and public transport are the actual options. Research present that visitors is decrease wherever Metro exists. Allow them to give attention to that,” Mr. Ashoka stated.
The marketing campaign led by R. Ashoka drew a bigger crowd in comparison with Mr. Shivakumar’s Stroll with Bengaluru initiative. ,
The BJP additionally launched a signature marketing campaign towards the Tunnel Highway. A whole lot of individuals gathered on the historic Lalbagh hill, the place Mr. Ashoka held a public assembly after inspecting the botanical park.
Though tenders had been floated in July this 12 months, the BJP had largely remained silent—aside from Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, who repeatedly clashed with Mr. Shivakumar and opposed the undertaking. WhenMr. Shivakumar referred to as the MP “infantile” and “waste materials” final week, Mr. Ashoka stepped in to assist him and introduced a silent protest at Lalbagh.
Crumbling monetary stability
Mr. Ashoka identified that Bengaluru’s tax income quantities to ₹4,000 crore, whereas the undertaking itself prices 4 instances that and requires an ₹8,000 crore mortgage. He emphasised that the undertaking would drain promoting revenues and result in the sale of metropolis properties. In September, The Hindu reported that BSMILE had agreed to divert all commercial income to the Housing and City Growth Company Restricted (HUDCO) to safe a mortgage for the Tunnel Highway.
The Opposition Chief stated the State is already underneath monetary stress as a result of Congress authorities’s assure schemes, and this undertaking would push Karnataka deeper into debt.
He additionally highlighted the excessive toll value of the tunnel street, stating that it might quantity to ₹600 per journey—roughly ₹20,000 a month for normal commuters. “At that charge, one might purchase an costly automotive or perhaps a 3BHK villa on EMI. With 90% of Bengaluru comprising middle-class households and 70% of autos being two-wheelers, a tunnel that solely permits automobiles is unscientific and caters to VIPs,” he stated.
He alleged that the Congress authorities is pursuing the tunnel undertaking as a result of, not like the Metro, it gives alternatives for commissions.
Incapable civic physique
Mr. Ashoka mocked the town’s civic administration, saying, “There are 25,000 potholes within the metropolis, virtually a world report. They cannot fill these, but they wish to construct a tunnel.”
He famous that the Ejipura flyover has taken practically a decade and that about 50 flyovers and underpasses stay incomplete. “How will they full a tunnel street? Our era will not see it; possibly our great-grandchildren will,” he quipped.
“As a substitute of this, why not construct a tunnel to the ‘Chandraloka’ (the moon)? Take up the undertaking provided that you possibly can promise it can truly resolve Bengaluru’s visitors drawback,” Mr. Ashoka stated.
Concentrating on parks
Mr. Ashoka accused the federal government of focusing on public areas reminiscent of Sankey Tank, Lalbagh, and Krishna Rao Park as a result of buying personal land can be too expensive and impractical.
“Lalbagh is a plant paradise, and Sankey Tank is accessed by the general public day-after-day. They can not destroy these,” he stated.
He additional identified that the Congress authorities itself had beforehand opposed street widening close to Sankey Tank, but it’s now planning a tunnel there. He added that the undertaking requires approvals from 120 departments, none of which have been obtained, regardless that tenders have already been floated.
Unscientific and ineffective
Mr. Surya stated the undertaking is unscientific and incapable of fixing Bengaluru’s congestion. He identified that the Detailed Challenge Report (DPR) predicts 22 extra choke factors on the entry and exit ramps. He additionally acknowledged that the undertaking is being pushed with out public session, environmental influence evaluation, or the obligatory geological research.
DKS responds.
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Shivakumar stated he was able to type a committee underneath the management of Opposition Chief R. Ashoka to assessment and counsel measures for the tunnel street undertaking in Bengaluru.
“We’ve performed every kind of research on the tunnel street. I’m not a idiot to destroy Lalbagh. I do know its historical past and what areas are getting used or not used within the park. The BJP opposes each improvement undertaking. They even opposed the metal bridge throughout (KJ) George’s time. I’m able to type a committee underneath Ashoka to review the tunnel street undertaking,” he stated.
Printed – November 02, 2025 05:50 pm IST