Student and environmental collectives on Saturday held a flash protest inside Lalbagh Botanical Gardens opposing the proposed 17-km tunnel project between Silk Board and Hebbal.

The All India Students Association (AISA) and Fridays For Future–Karnataka, which led the protest, alleged that the government is pushing ahead with the multi-crore project despite expert warnings and unresolved gaps in the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

“The tunnel is estimated to cost ₹17,000–₹20,000 crore, making it one of Karnataka’s most expensive transport projects. At a time when the metro fares are being raised in the name of fund shortage, this scale of expenditure on a project that will only benefit a small section of people is entirely unjustified. Also, the government has not conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study or carried out essential geological, hydrological and biodiversity studies,” stated the release.

Activists warned that large-scale underground drilling could destabilise soil layers, disrupt groundwater flow and worsen Bengaluru’s already severe flooding and drainage issues.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok said that the Congress government is destroying the environment by constructing a tunnel road.

Speaking during a signature collection and inspection event near Sankey Lake, he said that the Sankey Lake is being harmed for the tunnel road in Bengaluru. “We are not opposed to development. However, whenever the Congress government brings any project, it looks to damage the environment. They have not obtained permissions from any departments, including the Environment Department, Archaeology Department, and Forest Department,” he alleged.