BJP to oppose Bengaluru tunnel road project in Parliament, Assembly, and Court: Tejasvi Surya

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya announces that the BJP will oppose the controversial tunnel road project at all levels, calling it anti-people and pushing for public transport alternatives.

The BJP has announced that it will strongly oppose the Bengaluru tunnel road project, a ₹17,698 crore plan for a 17-km underground twin-tunnel from Hebbal to Silk Board. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya said on Wednesday that the project was against the interests of the people and would be challenged in the Lok Sabha, the Karnataka Assembly, and the High Court.

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Speaking at a press conference, Surya said the BJP would “100 per cent oppose” the project, arguing that it benefits only car users and does little to ease the city’s overall congestion. “We will fight it out in court and outside,” he said.

Alternative Vision: Trams Over Tunnels

Surya presented a detailed proposal to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, recommending tram lanes connecting Metro routes and introducing restrictions on private cars, similar to Singapore’s model. He said these alternatives were developed after studying successful transport systems in “eight to ten countries” and consulting urban experts.

However, Surya claimed Shivakumar “was not ready to listen” to any alternatives. “He thinks a tunnel is the only solution,” the MP said, adding that expanding public transport, not promoting car-only tunnels, is the real way forward.

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Deputy CM Shivakumar defended the project, saying the government was committed to tackling congestion and that citizens appreciated the effort. “We are confident of doing it,” he said. On tram proposals, he remarked that the BJP should first secure Central funding, adding, “Who will deny them?”

He also pointed out that apart from Surya and Leader of Opposition R Ashok, no other BJP leaders in the city had opposed the plan. On comparisons with the cancelled Steel Flyover project, Shivakumar said, “We will do our job. We are interested in the project and will do it.”

The proposed Hebbal-Silk Board twin-tunnel will feature multiple entry and exit ramps and aims to reduce travel time for cars and buses while easing congestion in the city centre. Global tenders for the project were floated in July 2025 by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited.

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