In Bengaluru, the BJP has called on the ruling Congress‑led state government to release full details of a new 18‑kilometre tunnel road project that the government plans to build beneath the city.
The BJP’s opposition leader, R. Ashoka, told reporters on Monday that the public has been left in the dark about the tunnel’s feasibility and cost. He said the government “need not keep the people in ignorance while announcing huge projects.”
Ashoka said that when he asked officials for clarity, they replied that approval from 124 different departments would be required. “I was told, ‘I’ll become the chairman of the committee,’” he added. “Before you can build a tunnel, you should fix the potholes. Show us you can do it.”
He pointed out that the current fee‑collection budget is still a question and that the project could cost between ₹12,690 crore and ₹17,780 crore in its first phase. The tunnel would run largely underground—up to 120 feet (about 36 metres) deep—and connect Hebbal/Esteem Mall in the north with Central Silk Board in the southeast. It is meant to cut travel time from 60‑90 minutes down to about 20‑25 minutes.
The Karnataka Cabinet has given the project an “in‑principle” approval, and global tenders are expected soon. However, the detailed design, funding model and execution schedule are still under review.
Ashoka warned that the government should prioritize basic infrastructure—repairing potholes, managing waste and protecting the environment—before launching such an ambitious plan. “We cannot damage Lalbagh or the Kempegowda Tower, and we must not destroy the environment,” he said.
He said the BJP isn’t anti‑development. “We want progress for the people, no matter who is Chief Minister,” he added. “But the Congress has to prove it can deliver on its promises.”
The proposed tunnel project has already raised questions about cost, feasibility and the current state of the city’s roads. As the state moves forward, citizens are demanding more transparency and tangible improvements in Bengaluru’s daily life.
Source: ianslive
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