The Karnataka High Court on Thursday, September 3, adjourned to next week the hearing on a PIL challenging the proposed short tunnel project at Hebbal Lake. It also directed the authorities to arrange a technical presentation to show that the project will not affect the lake’s inflow or outflow.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice KS Hemalekha said a presentation by an engineer could address the petitioners’ concern that the project could drain the lake.
Appearing for petitioners RK Guruprasad and two others, advocate Sneha Nagaraj said lake land had been diverted for the tunnel project. She argued that the construction would obstruct the lake’s inlet and outlet, and said this was reflected in documents available with the authorities.
Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty, however, told the court that the project would not affect the lake’s inflow or outflow. He agreed to arrange a technical presentation by an engineer explaining how the project would ensure that the water body’s flow remains undisturbed.
The petitioners have sought the quashing of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) titled “Short Length Transitory 3-Lane Bi-Directional Vehicular Underpass connecting Hebbal Flyover Junction to Veterinary College via GKVK campus premises”. The DPR was prepared pursuant to the revised final draft report of September 2025.
They have also challenged provisions of the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Act that reduced buffer zones around lakes, calling them unconstitutional. The petitioners have further sought the striking down of Rule 24 of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA)Rules, which exempts the project from the prior approval required under the BMLTA Act.
In a separate PIL concerning Bengaluru’s proposed twin-tunnel project, the High Court directed the state government to place before it a Geological Survey of India (GSI) report on the Peninsular Gneissic Complex at Lalbagh.
The direction came after Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, who appeared as counsel, urged the court to call for the report.
The division bench adjourned the hearing on a PIL filed by Dr Adikesavalu Ravindra, theatre personality Prakash Belawadi and others to September 10.
The petitioners have challenged the July 14, 2025 tender notification issued by the state government and the erstwhile BBMP, now the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), along with other project-related communications. They have also challenged the December 2024 feasibility study and the Detailed Project Report issued in February-March this year.
The proposed 16.7-km twin-tunnel project is estimated to cost between Rs 17,780 crore and Rs 19,000 crore. The petitioners have alleged that the project was advanced without a lawful assessment of its economic viability, social impact and constitutional validity.