Global tender will be called for Bengaluru tunnel road: DCM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, May 22 (PTI): Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to call global tender for tunnel road project in Bengaluru, which is estimated to cost about Rs 17,780 crore, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Thursday.
As a minister in-charge for Bengaluru Development, Shivakumar after the cabinet meeting said, "It has been decided to call a tender for the tunnel road. Chief Minister has been authorised to decide on whether to go for a hybrid model or other model. The Chief Minister and I will decide on it technically. It will be a global tender. The estimated cost is Rs 17,780 crore."
The twin tunnel will run from Hebbal's Esteem Mall Junction to Silk Board Junction, covering 16.745 km.
It will feature three main carriageways along with two or three-lane entry and exit ramps, officials said.
The cabinet has also approved the revised project cost of Bangalore Metro Rail Project Phase-II from Rs 26,405.14 crore to Rs 40,425.02 crore.
Officials said, the estimate has been revised as the length of the metro line has been increased from 72.09 km to 75.06 km, also due to increase in cost and area of land acquisition, increase in guideline rate of land and increase in cost of civil works.
It has also been decided by the cabinet to waive off the entire interest amount for all such associations or organisations which have been allotted Civic Amenity Sites from the Bengaluru Development Authority, if they pay the entire lease amount to the authority within 120 days, Shivakumar said.
He said, this is being done by relaxing the provisions of Bangalore Development Authority (Allotment of Civic Amenity Sites) Rules, 1989, as a special case and as a one-time measure.
Shivakumar said, a new garbage collection and disposal plan is being devised for Bengaluru at a cost of Rs 4,791 crore for a period of 7 years.
"Earlier, during the BJP regime, 98 package tenders were called for garbage disposal. Some people approached the court regarding this issue, and the court dismissed their petition and ruled to take a final decision on this tender in the next four months. We have decided to make one package in each area, and garbage disposal will be done through 33 packages, including two packages in large areas," he said.
The tender for this will be called soon, he said. "A garbage disposal plan at a cost of Rs 4,791 crore for a period of 7 years is being prepared. There are enough differences between the existing system and the new system. Many responsibilities including garbage segregation, vehicle responsibility, and building waste segregation will be given."
The cabinet approved "Arbitration and Conciliation Centre (Amendment) Rules, 2025".
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said, "This will allow increasing fees. Earlier, it was fixed 13 years ago".
The cabinet decided not to permit sanction for prosecution against former chairman and 8 former members of Karnataka Public Service Commission for alleged irregularities in 2011 batch Gazetted Probationers Recruitment.
"We have decided to close this matter, as the cabinet has already decided and a law was enacted stating that the selection of 48 Assistant Commissioners and other probationers in 2011 was proper," Patil said.
Administrative approval was granted to purchase and supply 2 MRI scan machines for two district hospitals of Mysuru and Davangere at a total cost of Rs.30 crore under the ECRP-II grant under the National Health Mission's Free Diagnostic Services Program.
Approval was given for the state government to give guarantee to Karnataka State Co-operative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank, Bengaluru for availing NABARD re-finance of Rs1600 crore during the year 2025-26.
It was also decided to reject the recommendation made by Lokayukta to entrust Departmental Enquiry against Bharat Lal Meena, Rtd. IAS, the then Commissioner, Bangalore Development Authority and PB Ramamurthy, Retired IAS, the then Chairman, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board under Section 12(3) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
