The National Green Tribunal has issued a formal notice to the Karnataka government after receiving a second petition challenging the proposed tunnel road project in Bengaluru. This development marks another significant legal hurdle for the controversial infrastructure initiative that has been facing growing opposition from environmental activists and concerned citizens.
Legal Challenge Gains Momentum
The latest petition filed before the NGT represents the second formal legal challenge to Bengaluru's ambitious tunnel road project. The applicant strategically referenced the tribunal's previous ruling in the Neelaiah versus Union of India case, which concerned the equally controversial steel flyover project. This legal precedent strengthens the current challenge against the tunnel road initiative.
The petition was officially documented on November 22, 2025, as confirmed by court records. Environmental advocate Chiranjeevi Kulkarni has been identified as a key figure in this legal proceeding, though specific details about whether he filed the petition or represented the applicant remain part of the ongoing case documentation.
Historical Context and Legal Strategy
Legal experts note that the reference to the steel flyover case demonstrates a strategic approach by environmental activists. The Neelaiah versus Union of India ruling established important environmental jurisprudence that petitioners are now leveraging against the tunnel road project. This suggests a pattern of using successful legal strategies from previous urban infrastructure battles.
The steel flyover project, which faced massive public protests and legal challenges, ultimately could not overcome the environmental and legal hurdles presented before the NGT. Activists appear to be following a similar playbook for the tunnel road project, indicating growing sophistication in environmental litigation strategies in Indian urban development cases.
What Comes Next?
With the NGT notice now formally served, the Karnataka government must prepare a comprehensive response addressing the environmental concerns raised in the petition. The state administration will need to demonstrate how the tunnel road project complies with environmental regulations and sustainable development principles.
The timing of this legal challenge is crucial as it comes at a preliminary stage of the project, potentially allowing for course correction or complete reassessment before significant resources are committed. Environmental activists hope this early intervention will force a more thorough environmental impact assessment and public consultation process.
This development represents another chapter in Bengaluru's ongoing struggle to balance urban infrastructure development with environmental conservation. As India's technology capital continues to grapple with traffic congestion and urban mobility challenges, the outcome of this legal battle could set important precedents for future infrastructure projects across the country.
