Now Reading: Bengaluru tunnel road a ‘real estate project’, citizen groups say
-
01
Bengaluru tunnel road a ‘real estate project’, citizen groups say
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…
The Story in Brief
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'.
The Indian Opinion
The tunnel road narrative pits congestion relief against a 'real estate giveaway'. But the government has not explained why 82% of vehicles (two-wheelers) are barred, or why an EIA was skipped. The real test comes on August 20, when the High Court will weigh whether a project that hands over prime land with FSI 5 to a concessionaire truly serves the public, or just a few car owners.
Sources (2): thehindu.com, thehindu.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
