Hebbal Tunnel Road in Focus as Cabinet Clears Parks Act Amendment

The Karnataka Cabinet’s move to clear a Bill amending the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, has drawn severe criticism from citizen groups, environmentalists, and BJP Members of Parliament, who allege the amendment is aimed at facilitating the proposed 17.1-km North-South Twin Tunnel Road starting at Hebbal.

The proposed amendment allows up to 5% of park and garden lands across the state to be alienated for public purposes. Critics argue the amendment is tailored to bypass legal challenges facing the tunnel project, which runs from Hebbal to the Central Silk Board Junction.

The High Court of Karnataka is currently hearing a batch of three public interest litigations challenging the tunnel project. On July 16, the court directed the state government that the fate of the Tunnel Road project would be dependent on the final outcome of the court case.

Environmental activist Dattatreya T. Devare stated that existing laws are being amended specifically to defend the project in court. He noted that petitioners had raised objections based on current legislation, including the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975.

Mr. Devare said the amendment is intended to accommodate the project and defeat the arguments raised in the petitions against both the long and short tunnels. He also expressed concern over a pattern of overriding objections through legislative changes, pointing to the recent reduction of buffer zones along drains to allow for road construction.

Bengaluru South BJP MP L.S. Tejasvi Surya opposed the decision, stating on social media that the tunnel project would pass through Lalbagh and require approximately 1.92 hectares—nearly five acres—for the tunnel and shaft. He added that the Detailed Project Report includes proposals for parking and a commercial complex around the shaft.

In an open letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Mr. Surya said the move was designed to circumvent High Court proceedings and warned of serious implications for the city's green spaces.

Bengaluru Central BJP MP P.C. Mohan termed the proposed legislation a dangerous assault on the city's green cover, asserting that laws protecting Lalbagh and Cubbon Park should be strengthened rather than diluted. He announced that the BJP would oppose the Bill.

It remains unconfirmed whether the government will table the Bill during the ongoing Karnataka Legislature Session.