Bengaluru: Karnataka’s deputy chief minister G Parmeshwara kicked up a storm on Tuesday when he said that the government would review plans for the construction of the steel flyover. The construction of the flyover was stalled after NGOs and activists protested against the construction, proposed by the previous Congress government in 2016.
Pointing to government’s plan to revive the 7-km long steel flyover, Parmeshwara said the bridge is required for the convenience of people going to the airport. The proposed bridge will connect Chalukya Circle to Esteem Mall in Hebbal.
"The steel bridge between Chalukya circle and Esteem Mall is much needed. The government will review the plan. The previous Congress government had to abandon the project due to vested political interest. The steel flyover will cut commute time to 20 minutes on that stretch, which would otherwise take 45 minutes,” Parmeshwara said. He also said that public opinion will be taken.
The controversial project was scrapped in October 2017 as people took to the streets against the government’s decision to go ahead with the project without citizen consultation. At least 800 trees would also be felled for the flyover.
The opposition BJP was quick to respond. The BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa said that it was wrong to go ahead with the project without taking people into confidence.
"The government should weigh the pros and cons of constructing the bridge and debate it in the Assembly. Kumarswamy had earlier opposed the steel flyover. The government should not take a hasty decision," Yeddyurappa said.
"I can only think that this move is being used as a bait, with the elections approaching, the government is diverting our attention as it doesn’t want us to focus on the real issues," said Priya Rajgopal Chetty, a citizen evangelist, who was at the forefront of the campaign against the flyover construction. She also said that the government could work on alternatives like
suburban rail system to give people respite from the traffic snarls.
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