Tejasvi surya directs GSI to study tunnel road impact on Lalbagh geology

MP for Bengaluru South L.S. Tejasvi Surya on Sunday said that he has directed the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to conduct an independent study on the potential geological and seismic impact of the tunnel road project passing beneath Lalbagh, one of Bengaluru’s most iconic heritage green spaces.

The directive came after Mr. Surya visited the site inside Lalbagh that was earmarked for constructing entry and exit points for the proposed tunnel.

His visit followed Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s inspection of the same site on Saturday, during which Mr. Shivakumar had assured that ‘only half an acre’ of Lalbagh land would be used and that the project would not harm the park in anyway.

However, Mr. Surya disputed these claims, stating that nearly six acres of Lalbagh could be affected by the project. “Forget six acres. We will not allow the government to take even six inches of Lalbagh for this disastrous tunnel road project,” he said.

Mr. Surya expressed deep concern that the proposed tunnel would pass directly beneath the three-billion-year-old Peninsular Gneiss, a National Geological Monument, warning that drilling through such an ancient rock formation would be ‘ecologically and geologically indefensible.’

He criticised the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) and feasibility study as ‘sloppy, unscientific, and devoid of credibility,’ noting that no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been conducted. “The DPR appears to be a copy-paste job, filled with vague justifications to dismiss legitimate concerns,” he said.

Adding to the controversy, Mr. Surya alleged that the DPR includes a proposal for a commercial complex.

“Once again, decisions are being made behind closed doors, without transparency or accountability,” he said, adding that there was no public consultation before announcing the project.

Drawing parallels to the Silkyara tunnel tragedy in Uttarakhand, Mr. Surya said the State government should prioritise a comprehensive safety review before undertaking any tunnelling activity.

Mr. Surya reiterated that Bengaluru’s focus should be on mass rapid transit expansion, which is Metro, suburban rail, and public transport integration, rather than ‘reckless tunnelling beneath its green lungs.’