DK Shivakumar cites PM Modi's support to defend Bengaluru tunnel road project
on Thursday claimed to have earned the backing of none other than
for the state govt's ambitious plan to ease the city's traffic gridlock.
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Speaking during a debate in the Legislative Council, Shivakumar claimed to have secured the PM's consent for the multi-crore rupee project, while reiterating that he was open to suggestions, debates, and discussions on the plan to decongest Bengaluru's roads.
Shivakumar's explanation came in response to BJP MLC C T Ravi's reference to the project as "unscientific", even as he questioned its cost and compared it to similar infrastructure ventures across the country.
Responding to it, Shivakumar recalled Modi's appreciation for the project during his recent visit to the city to inaugurate Namma Metro's Yellow Line.
"Some MPs accused me of planning this project to loot money. I want to make it clear, I'm not approaching this as a business or financial venture. I'm ready to face any inquiry if there's a trace of corruption in this," the deputy CM said.
He continued: "When the PM visited last week, I requested him not to make empty promises and handed over a representation on these [infra] projects.
He readily asked me to go ahead and assured that he would look into it."
Explaining the feasibility part, Shivakumar said toll collection will be inevitable.
Point-Counterpoint On Cost
Questioning the viability of the tunnel road's estimated cost, Ravi compared it with the other major urban infra projects in the country: 9-km Atal Tunnel (Rs 365 crore/km), the 29-km Mumbai Coastal Road (Rs 445 crore/km), and the 119-km Bengaluru-Mysuru access-controlled highway (Rs 71 crore/km).
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In contrast, he claimed the 16-km Hebbal-Silk Board tunnel's cost is pegged at Rs 1,156 crore/km, while the 28-km KR Pura-Nayandahalli tunnel will cost Rs 893 crore/km.
He also alleged that blacklisted firms were involved in preparing the detailed project report.
Shivakumar, though, dismissed the comparison, claiming that compared to other major projects such as the Gaimukh and Orange Gate tunnels, which cost Rs 1,316 crore/km, the cost of building Bengaluru's tunnel road at Rs 770 crore/km "is significantly lower".
BOX
Govt to penalise firm for copying DPR content from Maha project
Times News Network
Bengaluru: The state govt on Thursday said it will penalise a private consultancy for allegedly copying portions of a Maharashtra infra project report and pasting the same into a draft detailed project report (DPR) for Bengaluru's proposed tunnel road.
Admitting to "glaring errors" in the draft DPR — highlighted by BJP functionaries during a Legislative Council debate — deputy CM and Bengaluru in-charge minister D K Shivakumar confirmed that the firm would be penalised, though he did not specify the quantum of penalty.
BJP MLC C T Ravi earlier accused Delhi-based Rodic Consultants, which had prepared the draft DPR, of lifting content from a similar project between Nashik and Malegaon in Maharashtra.
TOI first reported the errors on Jan 8, 2025, citing citizen activists' findings.
BBMP earlier disclosed it had fined the consultant Rs 5 lakh.
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