Overview
- The Advocate-General told the bench that trees are not being cut in Lalbagh, after which the court noted status quo and said no interim order is needed until the next date.
- Petitions by Prakash Belawadi, Adikesavalu Ravindra and others challenge the project’s legality and approvals, seeking to quash the July 14 tender and related feasibility and DPR documents.
- Petitioners cited recent demarcation of about 6.5 acres inside Lalbagh with restricted public access as the basis for their apprehensions about tree felling.
- The proposed Hebbal–Silk Board twin tunnel includes eight entry and eight exit points under a BOOT model, with reports estimating a cost of about Rs 19,000 crore.
- The challenges press for a full environmental impact assessment and contest a November 26, 2024 SEIAA letter saying prior clearance is unnecessary, with Belawadi also opposing any alienation of Lalbagh land and seeking a geological survey.