The Karnataka BJP, led by the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, launched a campaign against the Tunnel Road project on Sunday (November 2, 2025) under the slogan “Save Lalbagh, Protect Bengaluru.”
Mr. Ashoka made a slew of allegations, branding the project as a fundraiser for the Bihar and Tamil Nadu elections. He described the proposed stretch as a “VIP lane”. He reiterated that the party is not against development, but against an “unscientific project”. The opposition leader urged the Deputy Chief Minister to drop the plan and instead focus on expanding and expediting Metro works as a solution to Bengaluru’s traffic problems.
“Metro can ferry 60,000 people at once compared to 19,000 cars the tunnel can handle. For us, Metro and public transport are the real solutions. Studies show that traffic is lower wherever Metro exists. Let them focus on that,” Mr. Ashoka said.
The campaign led by R. Ashoka drew a larger crowd compared to Mr. Shivakumar’s Walk with Bengaluru initiative. *
The BJP also launched a signature campaign against the Tunnel Road. Hundreds of people gathered at the historic Lalbagh hill, where Mr. Ashoka held a public meeting after inspecting the botanical park.
Although tenders were floated in July this year, the BJP had largely remained silent—except for Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, who repeatedly clashed with Mr. Shivakumar and opposed the project. When Mr. Shivakumar called the MP “childish” and “waste material” last week, Mr. Ashoka stepped in to support him and announced a silent protest at Lalbagh.
Crumbling financial stability
Mr. Ashoka pointed out that Bengaluru’s tax revenue amounts to ₹4,000 crore, while the project itself costs four times that and requires an ₹8,000 crore loan. He emphasised that the project would drain advertisement revenues and lead to the sale of city properties. In September, The Hindu reported that BSMILE had agreed to divert all advertisement revenue to the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) to secure a loan for the Tunnel Road.
The Opposition Leader said the State is already under financial stress due to the Congress government’s guarantee schemes, and this project would push Karnataka deeper into debt.
He also highlighted the high toll cost of the tunnel road, stating that it would amount to ₹600 per trip—roughly ₹20,000 a month for regular commuters. “At that rate, one could buy an expensive car or even a 3BHK villa on EMI. With 90% of Bengaluru comprising middle-class families and 70% of vehicles being two-wheelers, a tunnel that only allows cars is unscientific and caters to VIPs,” he said.
He alleged that the Congress government is pursuing the tunnel project because, unlike the Metro, it offers opportunities for commissions.
Incapable civic body
Mr. Ashoka mocked the city’s civic administration, saying, “There are 25,000 potholes in the city, almost a world record. They can’t fill those, yet they want to build a tunnel.”
He noted that the Ejipura flyover has taken nearly a decade and that about 50 flyovers and underpasses remain incomplete. “How will they complete a tunnel road? Our generation won’t see it; maybe our great-grandchildren will,” he quipped.
“Instead of this, why not build a tunnel to the ‘Chandraloka’ (the moon)? Take up the project only if you can promise it will actually solve Bengaluru’s traffic problem,” Mr. Ashoka said.
Targeting parks
Mr. Ashoka accused the government of targeting public spaces such as Sankey Tank, Lalbagh, and Krishna Rao Park because acquiring private land would be too costly and impractical.
“Lalbagh is a plant paradise, and Sankey Tank is accessed by the public every day. They cannot destroy these,” he said.
He further pointed out that the Congress government itself had previously opposed road widening near Sankey Tank, yet it is now planning a tunnel there. He added that the project requires approvals from 120 departments, none of which have been obtained, even though tenders have already been floated.
Unscientific and ineffective
Mr. Surya said the project is unscientific and incapable of solving Bengaluru’s congestion. He pointed out that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) predicts 22 additional choke points at the entry and exit ramps. He also stated that the project is being pushed without public consultation, environmental impact assessment, or the mandatory geological studies.
DKS responds.
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Shivakumar said he was ready to form a committee under the leadership of Opposition Leader R. Ashoka to review and suggest measures for the tunnel road project in Bengaluru.
“We have conducted all kinds of studies on the tunnel road. I am not a fool to destroy Lalbagh. I know its history and what areas are being used or not used in the park. The BJP opposes every development project. They even opposed the steel bridge during (K.J) George’s time. I am ready to form a committee under Ashoka to study the tunnel road project,” he said.
Published – November 02, 2025 05:50 pm IST
