Bengaluru, 19 July

BJP leader R Ashoka has vehemently attacked State Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over a contentious tunnel road project in Bengaluru, branding it a "monument to political arrogance, ego, and corruption." Ashoka claimed the project threatens to devastate the city’s cherished heritage and green spaces, including Lalbagh, Palace Grounds, and Hebbal, by necessitating 100-foot deep excavation for tunnel boring machines.

"This isn't urban mobility; it's urban mutilation," Ashoka declared, emphasising that residents deserve clean air and equitable public transport rather than "ego tunnels" for a select few. He dismissed the project as "environmental vandalism masquerading as infrastructure," and insinuated that there is "loot at the end of this tunnel."

The proposed project is expected to cost Rs 17,780 crore and will stretch 16.745km from Hebbal’s Esteem Mall Junction to Silk Board Junction under a modified Build-Own-Operate-Transfer model.

Ashoka also questioned the silence of Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, who has previously expressed concerns over environmental issues elsewhere. He suggested that the lack of opposition might indicate a financial incentive for Congress leaders involved in the project, urging the government to instead focus on enhancing public transport infrastructure.