DK Shivakumar Reminds BJP: Bengaluru Tunnel Road Idea Came from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

What began as a proposal to fix Bengaluru's crippling traffic has now snowballed into a full-blown political battle. The idea of constructing an underground tunnel road-once suggested by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari-has triggered heated exchanges between the Congress government and BJP leaders in Karnataka.

The tunnel road plan was first discussed when Gadkari met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, suggesting that such a project could ease congestion and even generate revenue through tolls and the sale of granite extracted during construction. But the proposal has now taken a political turn after Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar shared a video clip of Gadkari's comments on social media, tagging BJP leaders who had opposed the idea.

Political Reactions and Opposition

BJP leaders, including Tejasvi Surya and R. Ashoka, have fiercely criticised the tunnel project, calling it "unrealistic" and "environmentally harmful." Over the weekend, the BJP launched a signature campaign at Lal Bagh, urging the government to drop the proposal.

In response, Shivakumar hit back, reminding them that the tunnel concept came from Gadkari himself. "It's not my personal project-it's for Bengaluru's future," he said, adding, "Bengaluru first, politics later."

Video Controversy Deepens the Rift

The dispute took another twist when Tejasvi Surya accused Shivakumar of sharing an edited video of Gadkari's remarks. Surya claimed that important parts of the minister's statement were omitted, misleading the public. This accusation further fuelled the online war of words between BJP and Congress leaders.

Defending his stand, Shivakumar pointed out that Mumbai, governed by the BJP, has successfully executed tunnel road projects to tackle its traffic chaos. "If Mumbai can do it, why not Bengaluru?" he questioned.

Opposition leaders, however, maintain that the city's terrain, drainage systems, and cost implications make such a project highly challenging. They argue that funds would be better spent on expanding metro lines, improving public transport, and managing road discipline.

The tunnel road debate has come to represent more than just an infrastructure proposal-it's now a reflection of Bengaluru's political tug-of-war. While supporters see it as a long-overdue solution to one of India's worst traffic problems, critics fear it could become another expensive, stalled megaproject.