Tejasvi Surya seeks meet with DK Shivakumar, presents ‘Alternative Plan’ to counter tunnel road project

Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya has requested a 30-minute meeting with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar to propose an alternative to the controversial tunnel road, calling the project wasteful and unscientific.

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya has sought a 30-minute meeting with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to present an alternative urban mobility plan for Bengaluru, directly countering the state government’s ambitious tunnel road proposal.

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Speaking at Kittur Rani Chennamma Stadium on Sunday, Surya said Bengaluru’s civic future required “cooperation, not confrontation,” urging leaders to work together on reducing private vehicles and strengthening public transport. “Bengaluru will not benefit from an ego clash. What we need is a comprehensive mobility plan that actually solves congestion,” he said.

Reiterating his strong opposition to the tunnel road project, Surya called it “wasteful, unscientific, and ineffective,” arguing that it would “drain public money without reducing traffic or promoting sustainable mobility.” The BJP MP claimed that 99% of citizens would reject the tunnel plan if a referendum were held today.

Deputy CM Shivakumar, defending the project on Saturday, dismissed Surya’s objections as “empty talk,” asserting that the tunnel would not harm Lalbagh and would help car users. “Except for Surya, no one else is opposing it,” the DCM said, but added that he had granted time for a meeting on Tuesday, promising to consider Surya’s suggestions if they were constructive.

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Surya clarified that the BJP was not against development but opposed “misplaced priorities.” He reiterated support for the Peripheral Ring Road, Satellite Town Ring Road, suburban rail, and pending flyovers, saying these projects would “genuinely decongest Bengaluru.”

He also criticised the Metro fare fixation committee, claiming commuters were overcharged by over ₹100 crore due to “mathematical errors.” Surya added that he planned to file a PIL against the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) over the death of a woman who was run over while avoiding a pothole.