Days after some opponents Twin Tunnel Road as “sadists”, the Deputy Minister of DK Shivakumar announced on Saturday that no single tree would be felled for the project and that more than half an acre of land in Lalbagh would not be used for the project.
The proposed tunnel road, which requires part of the land in Lalbagh, one of the main green spaces of Bengalur, was the main point of the dispute, while civic groups and activists strongly against the plan.
Urged reassessment
During a walk in the Lalbagh as part of the “Walk With Bengalur” campaign, several citizens, especially older people, were worried about the reported use of Lalbagho soil for the tunnel road and called on Mr. Shivakumar to consider the project again.
The Minister’s representative rejected the reports that six acres of land would be obtained as false. “We only need half an acre behind the rock hill for input and output points near Ashoka Pillar. About one acre will be temporarily used for storage during construction and will then be cleaned,” he said.
He added that some plants in the warehouse area will be temporarily removed, but as soon as the construction has been completed, they will be planted.
When a senior citizen asked if Lalbagag’s soil would be used for a tunnel road, Shivakumar said: “This park belongs to citizens. I am no one who touches it. If so my head will not be spared.” He assured that the necessary changes would be made to ensure that the project did not damage Lalbagag.
He also explained that the tube of the tunnel passed underground and will not cause any damage to the park. However, he did not explain whether the tunnel would pass directly under Lalbagh, a fear marked by activists who fear that it could affect other trees in the green space.
Activists also stressed that the absence of environmental impact assessment makes it difficult to study the potential effects on the flora of the park, especially because the deep roots of these trees reach far into the soil.
Published – October 11, 2025 17:37
