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Bengaluru, Oct 27 (IANS) Accusing the Karnataka government over its ambitious tunnel project that will reduce travel time between the northern and southern parts of Bengaluru, the state BJP on Monday said the tunnel road is being built not to ease traffic but to please the real estate mafia.
Opposition leader R. “Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s real intention behind the so-called Bengaluru Tunnel Road has finally become clear – not to ease traffic, but to please the real estate mafia,” Ashok claimed on Monday.
“The Congress-led government in Karnataka has removed the Floor Space Index (FSI) limits and opened up Bengaluru’s most precious green and sensitive areas – Lalbagh, Race Course, Palace Ground and Hebbal – for commercial exploitation,” Ashok alleged.
Ashok said, “Instead of protecting the lungs of Bengaluru, they are auctioning them off. Instead of decongesting them, they are preparing to build glass towers and further clog the city. This is not urban planning – this is urban plundering in the name of infrastructure.”
It may be recalled that the Karnataka government has approved a Rs 17,780 crore project to build a 16-km-long road tunnel beneath Bengaluru, which aims to reduce travel time between the northern and southern parts of the city. The project will be implemented in two phases and upon completion, it will be the longest road tunnel in the country.
Despite opposition from some civic groups and transport experts, the government is planning to invite a global tender for the project soon.
High-rise buildings with at least 15 storeys are likely to come up in some of the most sensitive green areas of Bengaluru, as the state government has offered relaxation in building norms to attract private builders for the proposed tunnel road between Hebbal and Silk Board Junction.
Accusing the government of under-utilization of sanctioned funds, Ashok criticized, “Even after six months have passed for the 2025-26 financial year, only 30 per cent of the allocated funds have been utilized – this is a clear reflection of how the administrative machinery has come to a complete standstill in Karnataka.”
“Among the worst performers are the RDPR, IT and BT departments handled by Minister Priyank Kharge, who spends most of his time campaigning for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and making controversial statements. The RDPR (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj) department has utilized only 11.02 per cent of its funds, while the IT-BT department has utilized only 10.86 per cent. His recent anger is less about performance and more about one It seems more. Hidden malicious intent,” criticized Ashok.
Ashok rebuked, “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, before worrying about who will succeed him or who will lead the Ahinda movement, should first ask himself when the funds announced in the budget will actually be released – and when they will be spent for public welfare and development.”
Ahinda is a socio-political term in Karnataka meaning minority, Hindulidavaru and Dalitaru – meaning minority, backward class and Dalit.
–IANS
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