Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar hinted at possible change in alignment of the tunnel road project around Lalbagh following the virulent opposition to the project taking up the botanical garden’s land.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday (September 9) night, he said, “I have discussed the issue with Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to look at the feasibility of alternatives to Lalbagh land for the tunnel road project.”
Mr. Gowda confirmed that the Chief Minister had asked them to look at alternate options and they were being explored.
This comes close on the heels of the Karnataka Cabinet on September 3 deciding to withdraw the controversial Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which allowed the government to alienate 5% of park lands for public purposes, passed in both houses of the Karnataka legislature. The tunnel road requires six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and one acre permanently.
Civil society groups and BJP MPs from the city had led a campaign against alienation of the Lalbagh land.
Announcing the decision to withdraw the Bill, Mr. Shivakumar had then said the Bill will be reintroduced in the legislature and put to wide public debate. However, days later, the Chief Minister has now hinted at changing the alignment of the tunnel road to entirely avoid Lalbagh.
Senior officials said that the larger project was important and it was key to have citizens on board. However, they said that they were yet to look at the feasibility of alternatives and this was still at a very early stage.
Civil society opposes project
N.S. Mukunda, of Bengaluru Praja Vedike, one of the petitioners challenging the tunnel road project, said that damage to Lalbagh was just one of the grounds for challenging the project and they would not back down from the fight till the entire project was scrapped. “The project is extraordinarily costly, serving a small section of car users, even as public transport infrastructure needs more investment. Moreover, the project will not even resolve the traffic congestion. There are several statutory violations as well,” he argued.
Hearing a bunch of three PILs, including the one filed by Mr. Mukunda, the High Court of Karnataka, on July 16, 2026, directed that any contract for the project will be subject to the outcome of the petitions, effectively staying the project.
Meanwhile, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, which has emerged as the lowest bidder for the project, had called upon Mr. Shivakumar on August 23, 2026.
