NGT Questions Bengaluru Tunnel Project Over Ecological Risks

16 Sep 2025 CW Team

At the first hearing on 10 September, the tribunal directed notices be served to the State Government, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Bangalore Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), and the project consultants.

The petition, filed by Bengaluru Praja Vedike and other concerned citizens, highlights flaws in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), citing factual errors, incomplete annexures, and the absence of key studies, including site-specific geological surveys, hydrological and flood-risk mapping, biodiversity assessments, and tree enumeration.

Petitioners claim the traffic modelling is inaccurate, excluding major vehicle categories, underestimating emissions, and failing to resolve congestion at critical junctions.

The State Cabinet approved the 16.74 km twin-tube tunnel from Hebbal to Silk Board at an estimated cost of Rs 19 billion on 22 May. B-SMILE was formed shortly thereafter, and Rodic Consultants prepared the DPR in under three months—a process petitioners argue was rushed, politically motivated, and lacked credible technical assessment or alignment with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2020.

The petition states the tunnel cuts through ecologically sensitive areas, including the Peninsular Gneiss at Lal Bagh, Hebbal Valley’s stormwater corridor, and the critically polluted Peenya Industrial Area, raising concerns of groundwater depletion, soil instability, and flooding. Independent studies, including from the Indian Institute of Science, warn the project will shift commuters from public to private transport, increase fossil fuel use and emissions, and exacerbate climate vulnerabilities.

Statutory bodies such as the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) have confirmed the project contradicts Bengaluru’s mobility and climate policies, recommending alternatives. Petitioners further note the proposed Metro corridor along the same route offers a more sustainable, accessible, and environmentally sound transport solution.

Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar’s ambitious Tunnel Road project faces scrutiny following a petition by a city-based citizens’ group. The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to multiple government agencies, requesting formal responses.At the first hearing on 10 September, the tribunal directed notices be served to the State Government, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Bangalore Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), and the project consultants.The petition, filed by Bengaluru Praja Vedike and other concerned citizens, highlights flaws in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), citing factual errors, incomplete annexures, and the absence of key studies, including site-specific geological surveys, hydrological and flood-risk mapping, biodiversity assessments, and tree enumeration.Petitioners claim the traffic modelling is inaccurate, excluding major vehicle categories, underestimating emissions, and failing to resolve congestion at critical junctions.The State Cabinet approved the 16.74 km twin-tube tunnel from Hebbal to Silk Board at an estimated cost of Rs 19 billion on 22 May. B-SMILE was formed shortly thereafter, and Rodic Consultants prepared the DPR in under three months—a process petitioners argue was rushed, politically motivated, and lacked credible technical assessment or alignment with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2020.The petition states the tunnel cuts through ecologically sensitive areas, including the Peninsular Gneiss at Lal Bagh, Hebbal Valley’s stormwater corridor, and the critically polluted Peenya Industrial Area, raising concerns of groundwater depletion, soil instability, and flooding. Independent studies, including from the Indian Institute of Science, warn the project will shift commuters from public to private transport, increase fossil fuel use and emissions, and exacerbate climate vulnerabilities.Statutory bodies such as the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) have confirmed the project contradicts Bengaluru’s mobility and climate policies, recommending alternatives. Petitioners further note the proposed Metro corridor along the same route offers a more sustainable, accessible, and environmentally sound transport solution.

Real Estate

11 May 2026

Casagrand Launches 41-Acre Highcity Project in Chennai

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Highcity, a 41-acre integrated residential development on Chennai’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), marking the company’s largest residential project to date.The project will comprise over 4,000 two and three BHK apartments across four G+22 towers and is positioned as one of the largest organised residential developments in the ORR corridor.Located along Chennai’s emerging residential and infrastructure growth belt, the project benefits from connectivity to IT hubs including Navalur, Siruseri SIPCOT and Porur, as well as industrial clusters such as Sriperumbudur, ..

Real Estate

11 May 2026

Brigade, Marriott Open Courtyard Kochi Infopark

Brigade Hotel Ventures (BHVL) and Marriott International have opened Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Infopark, a rebranded and upgraded hotel formerly operating as Four Points by Sheraton Kochi Infopark.Located in Kakkanad adjoining Infopark Kochi, the 218-room property strengthens Brigade’s hospitality portfolio in one of the city’s key IT and commercial corridors. The hotel is positioned to cater to corporate, MICE and leisure travellers visiting Infopark, SmartCity and other business hubs in Kochi.The property offers flexible workspaces, smart TVs and high-speed WiFi across rooms and suites..

Real Estate

11 May 2026

WorkEZ Expands South India Portfolio to 1.7 Mn Sq Ft

Work Easy Space Solutions (WorkEZ) has expanded its managed workspace portfolio to approximately 1.7 million sq. ft. across 12 operational buildings and two upcoming developments, strengthening its footprint across South India.The expansion includes the addition of 65,000 sq. ft. at Phoenix One National Park in Chennai and the company’s entry into Kochi through a partnership with Lulu Developers, adding another 70,000 sq. ft.WorkEZ has also signed a 0.4 million sq. ft. development in Coimbatore with Veeras Infra following the successful leasing of 0.1 million sq. ft. in the first phase. The ..