Karnataka High Court Seeks Response on Hebbal Tunnel Project

The Story in Brief

The Karnataka High Court has sought the State government’s response to a petition challenging the proposed 2.2-km twin tunnel from Hebbal junction to KVAFSU, estimated to cost Rs 1,130 crore. The court warned it could stay the project if a written response is not filed before the next hearing on August 24.

A division bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru directed the government to state whether studies have assessed the tunnel’s effect on Hebbal lake, including possible obstruction to water inflow or outflow. The petitioners say the tunnel would run 8 to 12 metres from the lake boundary and have challenged reduced lake buffer rules. The court also issued notice to contractor Rithwik Projects Pvt. Ltd.

The Indian Opinion

Claims that the project is already doomed, or that any court notice proves wrongdoing, go beyond the record. The immediate issue is narrower and important: whether the State has properly assessed risks to the lake, groundwater and drainage before construction. A large road project can ease traffic, but speed cannot replace evidence near a sensitive water body. The government’s affidavit and the court’s next order on August 24 will show whether the safeguards are real or merely on paper.

Source: thehindu.com

This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.

Ask their opinion on this story

They have read this article, our coverage, and the web.

Rabindranath TagoreGandhiMuhammad Ali JinnahB. R. AmbedkarJawaharlal NehruVinayak Damodar SavarkarSubhas Chandra Bose

AI simulations of historical figures. Responses are generated from the historical record, not authentic statements.