The executive summary of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Hebbal to Silk Board tunnel road project reveals an estimated expenditure of ₹65 crore designated for tree felling, translocation, planting, decorative artwork, a construction depot, and landscaping initiatives. The overall projected investment for the project totals ₹14,981 crore.
A senior official from the BBMP stated that the DPR has been compiled and is currently under analysis. This project report includes plans for artwork, beautification, and greenery along the proposed 18-km tunnel road.
However, the DPR does not specify the number of trees affected, the types of artwork planned, landscaping details, or any additional development strategies. The private consulting firm tasked with creating this DPR managed to complete the document in merely three months, a significantly shorter timeframe than typically expected.
Concerns Emerge
Dattatreya T. Devare, a trustee of the Bengaluru Environment Trust, expressed skepticism regarding the timeliness and accuracy of the project cost estimation. He stated, “Preparing a DPR of this magnitude usually requires at least one year. However, the company has managed to complete it in a mere three months.”
Mr. Devare continued, “Accurate estimations require comprehensive data collection, which appears lacking. There are also concerns that the DPR includes unrelated data from Maharashtra, hinting at a potentially inadequate research process.” He emphasized that without assessing the number of trees designated for translocation and finalizing designs for artistic and landscaping elements, any cost estimation remains questionable.
Published – January 07, 2025 10:32 pm IST
