Citizens Form Human Chain at Lalbagh Against Proposed Hebbala Tunnel Road
Activists, children, and citizens gathered at Lalbagh in Bengaluru on Sunday, August 9, 2026, forming a human chain to oppose the Karnataka government's proposed ₹17,770 crore Tunnel Road project. Organised by the Lalbagh Walkers Association, the protest aimed to protect the historic botanical garden from the infrastructure project, which is planned to connect North Bengaluru and South Bengaluru by linking Esteem Mall in Hebbala to the Silk Board junction through Lalbagh.
Protesters warned that the proposed tunnel passing through Lalbagh poses a severe threat to the park's environmental ecosystem. According to participants, the project threatens thousands of trees inside the garden, risks loosening the soil, and could destroy the habitats of hundreds of species. Demonstrators also raised alarms over potential damage to the Lalbagh Rock, a Peninsular Gneiss estimated to be around 3,300 years old.
During the demonstration, participants met with the Director of the Horticulture Department. They requested that the director write to the Central government to recommend the Lalbagh Rock for UNESCO recognition, similar to protected historical sites in Hampi. Protesters insisted that while they support city development, it should not come at the expense of destroying ancient geological features and surrounding green spaces.
Umesh Kumar, President of the Lalbagh Walkers Association and the Cubbon Park Walkers Association, highlighted that the matter will soon reach the judiciary. He noted that the High Court of Karnataka has scheduled a hearing for August 20 regarding the proposed tunnel road project, following multiple petitions submitted by opposing parties. Kumar affirmed that protests and public awareness campaigns will continue until the message reaches the High Court to save Lalbagh from destruction.
Protesters such as Suma Reddy expressed concern over what future generations will inherit if natural landmarks are replaced by roads, skywalks, and tunnel projects. Another participant, Prasanna Kumar, pointed out that citizens previously successfully stopped the construction of the Lalbagh Metro Station when it threatened to cut through the park and destroy hundreds of trees, stating that opposition to the tunnel road will continue similarly.
Addressing the concerns, Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar previously stated that no more than half an acre of land inside Lalbagh would be used for the tunnel project and asserted that not a single tree would be felled. Despite these assurances, campaigners plan to maintain public outreach and legal opposition.
