Citizens protest at Freedom Park against tunnel roads, buffer zone reductions and Governance Bill

Bengaluru

Hundreds of Bengalureans gathered at Freedom Park on Friday to voice their opposition to recent state government decisions concerning city infrastructure, governance, and environmental safeguards.

The protest, called just two days earlier under the banner “Save Bengaluru – Our City, Our Right, Our Choice,” saw participation from residents across the city, including Whitefield, Yelahanka, and Anekal. Citizens raised concerns over the proposed Tunnel Road project, the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill (GBGA), and the amendment reducing lake buffer zones.

Actor and director Prakash Belawadi urged the government to “avoid unilateral decisions not in the larger interests of the city” and revealed that legal challenges were being prepared against both the GBGA in the Supreme Court and the Tunnel Road project before the National Green Tribunal.

Public transport campaigner Rajkumar Dugar warned that the tunnel project would worsen congestion, pollution, and commuting costs, and instead pressed for investment in public transport, walkability, and drainage improvements.

Sandeep Anirudhan, from Citizens’ Agenda for Bengaluru, criticised the proposed buffer zone reduction, calling lakes “a lifeline for the city.” He also accused the state of ignoring constitutional provisions by failing to establish a proper planning authority and termed the GBGA an “unconstitutional usurpation of grassroots democracy.”

Kathyayini Chamaraj of Civic Bangalore said the Act undermines the 74th Constitutional Amendment by weakening ward committees and eliminating area sabhas. Priya Chetty Rajagopal called on citizens to unite in demanding policies that prioritise sustainable public transport and environmentally conscious governance.

A moving moment came when Leo Saldanha of ESG India, still recovering from a stroke, appeared in a wheelchair to express solidarity, drawing emotional responses from the crowd.

The gathering resolved to intensify opposition to the Tunnel Road project, lake buffer zone reduction, and the governance bill through continued protests, public engagement, and dialogue with elected representatives.

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