Karnataka is looking for alternative routes in the Bengaluru tunnel road project as it is worried about the impact on Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
The proposed project to reach a 17.5 km underground connection between Hebbal and Central Silk Board would reduce congestion on other parts of Bengaluru. But the construction-related impact of Lalbagh has led to a review on the alignment and what can be done to preserve the historic green space.
The Hebbal-Central Silk Board tunnel corridor will be a key infrastructure intervention to curb Bengaluru’s chronic traffic problems. The route would connect two key points of the city and would provide an alternative to some of the city’s most congested surface roads. By taking most of the city’s traffic underground the project will relieve traffic pressure on major arterial roads and reduce travel time for commuters moving across town.
Lalbagh is still one of Bengaluru’s most significant environmental and cultural landmarks. And at a large extent in the heart of the city, the botanical garden has a huge collection of plants, mature trees, lush parks, restored buildings and historic buildings, and it is an important urban green space. Any infrastructure project in or around the garden must be considered carefully as it is related to trees, groundwater, soil stability, ecological balance and heritage in nature.
The government’s decision to explore alternative routes is a step towards balancing Bengaluru’s infrastructure needs and environmental protection. Rather than proceed with a route that may cause concern for Lalbagh, officials are looking at whether the tunnel can be designed or realigned so it doesn’t take place in sensitive areas. Such an exercise could be done by examining different underground corridors, engineering requirements, land and traffic patterns before deciding on a route.
The issue, for Bengaluru, is an illustration of a larger challenge faced by rapidly growing cities: how do they expand transportation infrastructure without losing precious natural and historical resources? Over the years, the city’s car ownership and traffic volume have significantly increased, which makes it that much more vital for new roads and public transport systems and innovative mobility solutions.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru’s remaining green spaces have become increasingly important for maintaining environmental quality and for providing residents with recreational areas.
And the tunnel project will surely get attention too not just for the transportation benefits, but also for environmental reasons. Lalbagh would then be a key consideration in considering the technical and financial feasibility of alternative alignment.
An alternative route not to cut through the sensitive parts of the garden could help alleviate public concerns and ensure the infrastructure project gets done with respect to a site of such popularity and the visibility of one of the city’s most iconic green landmarks.
When the government considers alternatives, detailed technical studies and environmental assessments will be crucial in the selection process. The final decision is likely to be made in the light of the construction feasibility, traffic benefit, cost of project, environmental safety and long term benefits of Bengaluru residents.
The proposed Hebbal-to-Central Silk Board tunnel is part of the larger solution to the city’s transportation problems. If an alternative alignment could protect Lalbagh and deliver the desired connectivity benefits then that would be a model when it comes to infrastructure planning that combines urban development with environmental conservation. But the focus is on finding a route which can expand Bengaluru’s road network without sacrificing its iconic botanical heritage.
