Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, right, and Bihar BJP President Dilip Kumar Jaiswal during an election roadshow for the Bihar Assembly polls, in Patna, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (PTI Photo) (PTI11_02_2025_000292B)
BJP in Karnataka opposes Bengaluru tunnel road plan, urges focus on metro, buses and suburban rail
(Bengaluru | November 3, 2025) — Karnataka’s opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come out against a proposal to build multi-corridor tunnel roads in Bengaluru, calling the plan elitist and environmentally risky, and urging the state government to prioritize public transport including Namma Metro, suburban rail and bus services.
Background
The Congress-led state government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have explored a multi-corridor tunnel road network to ease congestion in India’s tech hub. Concept pitches and expressions of interest floated over the past two years have referenced a network of underground corridors spanning up to roughly 150–190 km, with preliminary cost estimates in the tens of thousands of crores of rupees under a public–private partnership model.
The idea has drawn scrutiny from urban planners and environmental groups, who argue high-capex, road-centric solutions could induce more traffic, complicate drainage in a flood-prone city, and disrupt aquifers and lakes. State officials have said any decision would follow detailed project reports (DPRs), technical vetting and statutory clearances where applicable.
Developing Situation
The BJP’s Karnataka unit said the tunnel road concept favors private vehicle users over the majority who rely on public transport, urging the government to channel funds into accelerating Namma Metro expansion, the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), bus priority lanes and last-mile connectivity.
Party leaders also flagged potential environmental impacts, including tunneling near lakes and storm-water drains, construction-phase disruption, ventilation emissions and long-term operating costs. The opposition has asked the government to publish feasibility and environmental assessments, undertake independent reviews and hold citywide consultations before proceeding.
State officials have maintained the plan is still at a feasibility stage, with DPRs expected to evaluate engineering, hydrology, ventilation, safety, land and cost–benefit (Incomplete: max_output_tokens)
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