# Bengaluru tunnel road a ‘real estate project’, citizen groups say 2026-08-07T22:46:23+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Citizen groups have called the Karnataka government's ambitious tunnel road project 'a real estate project in disguise', ahead of the Monsoon Session of the legislature starting August 13. Bengaluru Praja Vedike has written to all MLAs and MPs, alleging the concessionaire gets free ancillary revenue that could exceed Rs 30,000 crore over 30 years by building five-floor intermodal hubs with retail space at five junctions. The draft agreement allows FSI of 5, enabling high-rises. The project also faces three PILs in the High Court of Karnataka, which on July 16 directed that any contract will be subject to the petitions' outcome. The next hearing is August 20. Critics note statutory non-compliance, including no EIA for a tunnel longer than 1.5 km, and that the alignment cuts through the Lalbagh National Geological Monument. Two-wheelers (82% of city vehicles) and auto-rickshaws are banned from the tunnel, creating what activists call 'economic apartheid'. ## Coverage - thehindu.com - thehindu.com Tags: Bengaluru, bus lane, cycle lane, infrastructure, Namma Metro, Outer Ring Road Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/orr-revamp-plans-dedicated-bus-and-cycle-lanes-metro-corridor/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/orr-revamp-plans-dedicated-bus-and-cycle-lanes-metro-corridor/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.