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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3635
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026
Environmental Clearance for Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project
3635. SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the State Government of Karnataka or any of its agencies has approached the
Central Government seeking environmental clearance, appraisal, opinion or any other statutory
approval in respect of the proposed Bengaluru Tunnel Road Project, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has examined or proposes to examine the likely environmental
impact of the said project including its implications for groundwater, urban hydrology, tree
cover, air quality and climate resilience, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any Environmental Impact Assessment, hydrogeological assessment, cumulative
impact assessment or other technical studies have been sought by the Government, if so, the
details thereof; and
(d) whether the Central Government proposes to seek information from the State Government
of Karnataka or otherwise examine the environmental implications of the proposed project, if
no such proposal is received from the said State, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d): As per the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification,
2006, only projects or activities specified in the Schedule to the Notification require prior
Environmental Clearance (EC) from the Central Government or the State Environment Impact
Assessment Authority, as applicable. Standalone tunnel projects are not included in the
Schedule to the EIA Notification, 2006. However, where tunnels form an integral component
of a highway project falling under the Schedule to the EIA Notification, 2006, the entire
highway project, including the tunnel component, is comprehensively appraised by the
Ministry. During such appraisal, detailed assessment of environmental aspects such as
groundwater, hydrology, drainage, tree cover, biodiversity, air quality, geology, disaster risks
and climate resilience is undertaken through the Environmental Impact Assessment study, and
appropriate environmental safeguards are prescribed as conditions of Environmental
Clearance.
No proposal seeking Environmental Clearance in respect of the proposed Bengaluru Tunnel
Road Project has been received by the Ministry.
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