Known as “Kala” on TikTok, the homeowner and creator of the account @engineer.everything has gained significant attention online, amassing 7.7 million views while documenting the construction of an underground bunker beneath her property in Herndon, Virginia. Dubbed “Tunnel Girl” by social media users, Kala recently announced that she was granted approval to proceed after paying a $2,000 permit fee.

Her ambitious project was initially halted last year over concerns about possible violations. However, in a recent TikTok video, she shared the news of her permit approval, stating: “I paid the fee, and my tunnel plans are approved. Finally, floor plans, structural plans, construction specifications, load engineering, electrical plans, and other trade plans are all approved.”

The tunnel system reaches a depth of 22 feet (6.7 meters) and features a 30-foot (9.1-meter) entrance beneath her home. According to a spokesperson for the town of Herndon, the permit was officially issued, and the first inspection has already taken place.

“The first inspection by staff occurred earlier this week, granting approval for a partial concrete pour of the ceiling,” the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “The underground structure, as per the approved plans, will not extend beyond the footprint of the house.”

While Kala has received official clearance, some neighbors have voiced concerns about the project. According to FOX 5 DC, local residents have questioned the safety and impact of the construction.

Rosie Hernandez, a neighbour who has lived in the area for three years, expressed scepticism about the project’s progress. “It’s weird for me. It’s new because I have never seen anything before… I don’t see anything, like machines. I don’t see anything,” she told FOX 5.

Chris Colgan, a local real estate agent and owner of Chris Colgan Real Estate, also weighed in on the community’s reaction. Speaking to Fox News Digital, he noted that many assumed the project would end when authorities initially intervened.

“When she was initially stopped, I think most people in the community assumed that would be the last we’d hear about this,” Colgan said. “So, it was surprising when she actually got the permit. There’s some concern about potential property damage in the surrounding area, but most neighbors I’ve talked to find the whole situation funny and a bit unusual.”

With official approval now secured, Kala is set to resume work on her underground structure, continuing a project that has captivated social media users and drawn curiosity from her local community.