In a sharp and assertive exchange that underscored the rising tension over Bengaluru’s urban infrastructure crisis, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Tuesday met Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and called for a mission-mode transformation of the city’s road and footpath network — while taking a strong stand against the controversial Tunnel Road project.
Speaking after the high-stakes meeting, Surya minced no words in demanding accountability, transparency, and long-term planning in Bengaluru’s civic projects. “I have suggested that on a mission mode, we should take up the project to make our footpaths and our city’s roads the best in the world,” he said, calling for standardisation, reform in tendering processes, strict project monitoring, and punitive action against “errant contractors who don’t do their job well.”
Describing the state of Bengaluru’s infrastructure as “a civic emergency,” the Bengaluru South MP said the presentation he submitted to DK Shivakumar detailed a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable mobility and transparent governance. “It’s a very detailed presentation that has been given, and I’m sure many of these ideas will see the light of day because Bengaluru desperately needs a long-term sustainable solution to address its traffic congestion,” he stated.
Taking a firm stand against the Tunnel Road project, Surya reiterated his and the BJP’s opposition to the plan, calling it a misguided and short-term solution. “My position on Tunnel Road, our party’s position on Tunnel Road, remains the same. We want to promote public transport. An 18 km road is not going to be the solution for Bengaluru’s traffic,” he declared, pressing for greater investment in Metro expansion, bus networks, and non-motorised transport infrastructure.
In a striking remark, the young BJP leader claimed that DK Shivakumar himself acknowledged the need to prioritise public transport over vanity projects. “He agrees wholeheartedly that public transport is the only solution. I hope that, in line with that, he will drop the tunnel road idea, and more sustainable public transport options will be given encouragement and support,” Surya asserted.
The meeting marks a significant moment in Bengaluru’s political discourse, as civic infrastructure, mobility, and governance become major flashpoints between the ruling Congress and the BJP. With residents increasingly frustrated by traffic chaos, poor road conditions, and delayed projects, Surya’s fiery intervention signals the opposition’s intent to corner the state government on urban mismanagement.
