Overview

• The National Green Tribunal admitted the petition and sent notices to the Karnataka government, SEIAA, B-SMILE, the Union Environment Ministry, and the project consultants.
• Petitioners seek cancellation of the 16.74 km twin-tube tunnel and quashing of tenders, alleging unlawful approval and procedural violations.
• They argue authorities evaded public consultation and EIA clearance by claiming tunnels are not explicitly covered under the 2006 EIA notification.
• The DPR by Rodic Consultants is alleged to contain errors and omit key studies, including site-specific geology, hydrology and flood-risk mapping, biodiversity assessment, and tree enumeration.
• Concerns cited include alignment through sensitive zones such as Lalbagh’s Peninsular Gneiss, Hebbal Valley’s stormwater corridor, and near Peenya Industrial Area, as well as warnings from IISc and DULT that the project conflicts with mobility and climate policies.