MP Tejasvi Surya slams Tunnel Road project as ‘scam’; Calls for public transport overhaul

Bengaluru

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has launched a scathing attack on the proposed Bengaluru Tunnel Road project, branding it a “vanity scam” that benefits only the rich while ignoring the needs of ordinary commuters.

In a detailed press conference, Surya alleged serious irregularities in the preparation of the project’s Feasibility Report and Detailed Project Report (DPR), accusing the Congress-led government of bypassing legal mandates and endangering the city’s public transport future.

The Tunnel Road project, expected to cost ₹18,500 crore for 16 km from Hebbal to Silk Board, has been projected as a congestion-busting initiative. However, Surya dismissed it as an “elite-only infrastructure” with no scientific basis or planning logic.

DPR and feasibility report: A web of flaws

According to Surya, the Feasibility Report and DPR are riddled with inconsistencies. The DPR was allegedly finalised before the Feasibility Report, raising questions about procedural integrity. He pointed out that the DPR includes outdated images, traffic data from Maharashtra, and lacks any fresh transport modeling.

Despite ₹9.5 crore being spent by BBMP’s consultants—compared to BMRCL’s ₹1.6 crore for a similar study—there were no independent geotechnical investigations conducted. Surya alleged that the same consultants used in other scams were hired for the Tunnel Road project. Synergy Engineering, which co-authored the Feasibility Report, has been blacklisted in Madhya Pradesh, while Rodik Consultants, responsible for the DPR, were allegedly involved in a ₹500 crore scam in Jammu & Kashmir.

No approval from BMLTA

As per Section 19 of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) Act, any major mobility project requires prior approval from the authority. Surya claimed that this approval was not sought, rendering the entire process illegal. “There is no disclosed BMLTA approval in any of the documents, and yet the government is pushing ahead,” he said.

Tunnel Road economics: Built for the elite?

The MP pointed out that the tunnel would primarily benefit car owners, with no provisions for affordable or public transport integration. Commuters may have to pay ₹660 for a return trip, or ₹20 per kilometer—nearly double the cost of regular roads. Surya emphasised that while Bengaluru needs people-first mobility solutions, the tunnel road was clearly “infrastructure for the rich.”

Public transport in crisis

Surya said Bengaluru’s existing public transport system is in shambles. With just 6,835 BMTC buses on the roads, the city falls drastically short of the required fleet strength. According to the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), at least 16,582 buses are needed by 2031, while experts recommend 18,000 immediately.

What Bengaluru needs, according to Surya

Tejasvi Surya outlined a people-first alternative plan for Bengaluru’s mobility future. He demanded urgent completion of 20+ stalled flyover projects, full-scale BMTC bus fleet expansion to 25,000 vehicles, acceleration of delayed metro lines, proper implementation of BMLTA with public audits, and creation of integrated transport hubs. He stated that the ₹18,500 crore tunnel money could instead be used to procure 15,000 electric buses.

Eight demands raised

Surya placed eight demands before the state and central authorities:

• Immediate reversal of metro and bus fare hikes
• A transparent investigation into the tunnel DPR process
• A public audit of all unspent urban infrastructure funds
• Full overhaul of the state’s transport policy
• Tripling BMTC’s bus fleet in three years
• Acceleration of metro network expansion
• Full disclosure of consultant fees and agreements
• Inclusion of citizen voices in policy making

“We don’t need God, we need governance”

Reacting to Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s remark that “even God can’t fix Bengaluru traffic,” Surya said, “that’s not a lament—it’s a confession of incompetence. Bengaluru doesn’t need divine intervention. It needs honest and competent governance.”

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