DK Shivakumar Defends Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project Amid Traffic Woes

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar defended Bengaluru’s proposed tunnel-road project on Wednesday, challenging critics to "shout at me" if they believe he is wrong, arguing the plan is essential to address the city's worsening traffic congestion. Speaking at a business summit, Shivakumar dismissed opposition from civic groups and political rivals, including concerns about damage to Lalbagh Botanical Garden, as "nonsense leaders" playing politics. He defended the toll-based model, saying "time is money" for commuters facing hours of delays. Shivakumar urged entrepreneurs to support the Hebbal-Silk Board tunnel project, noting that a Mysuru-to-Bengaluru drive takes 90 minutes but the final city stretch can take four hours. He framed the infrastructure fix as critical for businesses facing mobility problems.