CM D K Shivakumar instructed the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to explore changing the alignment of the Hebbal-Silk Board tunnel road to keep it away from Lalbagh. At a GBA meeting, the CM reportedly directed officials to look for alternate land instead of Lalbagh for building the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) shaft. The project faces hurdles over Lalbagh land acquisition and overlap with Metro infrastructure.

After withdrawing the controversial Bill to use 5% of parkland for infrastructure and utility works, the state government announced the proposed tunnel road will not run through Lalbagh. Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramalinga Reddy stated Lalbagh land will not be used for the tunnel road project, though the final decision is pending. Alternative routes being considered include part of Nimhans land, cemetery land near Wilson Garden, or digging through Lalbagh Road. The 17.5km tunnel road from Hebbal to Silk Board was projected to cost Rs 17,782 crore, with Adani Group as the lowest bidder. The August 24 Bill triggering concerns over Lalbagh takeover and tunnelling under Lalbagh rock (part of the 3.5 billion-year-old Dharwar Craton) was withdrawn September 4 following opposition from citizens, experts and activists. Mobility experts including Indian Institute of Science researchers had argued Bengaluru does not need a tunnel road; instead public transport and Metro connectivity should be increased and the Suburban Rail project executed.

The Bengaluru Silk Board-Hebbal tunnel road project faces concerns from a Geological Survey of India expert panel over proposed construction near Lalbagh. The panel submitted findings to the Karnataka High Court recommending review of tunnel design, geological conditions, and construction plans before work advances.

Key concerns:

• Shaft-4 is proposed close to the Lalbagh geological monument
• Existing rock fractures present in the area
• Vibrations from excavation and drill-and-blast methods could worsen fractures
• Underground water movement and pressure could affect fractured rock behavior
• Construction activity could affect nearby heritage structures including Kempegowda Tower

The GSI panel recommended that an independent technical committee assess whether Shaft-4 can be relocated further from the geological monument and review construction methods being considered for the tunnel in the area. The recommendation emphasizes reducing risk before excavation rather than assessing damage during construction. The matter reached Karnataka High Court following objections raised by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya.

Public interest litigation petitions filed against the Silk Board tunnel project are scheduled for High Court hearing on August 20. Citizens and environmentalists are protesting the project, citing ecological damage and risks to the city's green spaces, particularly Lalbagh.

BBMP allocated Rs 400 crore special grant to make Outer Ring Road 'world-class' following poor upkeep between KR Puram and Central Silk Board.

Budget also supports two ongoing projects:

• White topping of 157 km of roads: estimated cost Rs 1,700 crore
• Asphalting of 118 roads: estimated cost Rs 694 crore