From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 25: While a large cross-section of the people, including civil society leaders and social activists vehemently opposing the Siddaramaiah regime’s plans to construct a Rs 1800 crore steel flyover project from Basaveswara circle near Vidhana Soudha till Esteem Mall, after the Hebbal junction, the Bengaluru Development Minister K J George’s initiative to discuss the project with all city legislators and MPs turned out to be a damp squib as the opposition BJP-JD(S) staged a walk out protesting against the State Government’s stubborn refusal to listen to reason.
Leaders of the two opposition parties refused to discuss the project with the minister and officials to register their views and insisted that the State Government must heed their suggestion for considering alternative options.
Undaunted by the opposition of BJP-JD(S) leaders, Bengaluru Development Minister K J George contended that the network of elevated corridors of which steel flyover is also a part of was part of the 2013 Congress election manifesto and was part of the 2014-15 state budget.
The minister challenged MP Rajeev Chandrashekar and BJP MLA Suresh Kumar to get the project implemented by any agency executing similar projects for the Centre, if it can be executed at Rs 1,350 crore as claimed by them.
While the people have voted us to power, the political opposition did not have any objections to the budget announcement. The project was, in fact, started in 2010 during BJP regime, George claimed.
“BJP is making baseless allegations on the cost escalation of the project. They are arguing that it can be done in Rs. 1350 crore. The BJP is in power at the Centre. We are ready to handover the project to union government and let them show us it can be carried out in Rs. 1350 crore,’’ the minister challenged.
MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar was stopped from speaking and was interrupted repeatedly at the meeting held at Vidhana Soudha.
Chandrashekar vociferously opposed the Steel Flyover project and reiterated the Citizens’ Voice of #SteelFlyoverBeda!
He emphasized the views of Citizens' of #NammaBengaluru, who are demanding a complete Environmental Impact Assessment to be done; open and transparent Public Consultations to be held; full Disclosure about all project details prior consultations.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar questioned the improper/irregular nature of public consultation done and the fact that no alternate mobility solutions have been considered.
He asked as to why the project was not discussed first within the Bengaluru Metropolitan Planning Committee hence putting a question mark on the sincerity of the Government calling this meeting of elected representatives.
He further pointed out that the project estimate of Rs 1800 crore had not taken into account the GST component, which would further escalate the total cost of the proposed Steel Flyover.
Such a huge expenditure can be better utilised for other mobility and infrastructural projects for development of the City, he argued.
Most MPs and MLAs also opposed and questioned the project on grounds that the Government is pushing the Steel Flyover when they are yet to get land approvals required from Indian Air Force, Bangalore Golf Course and others.
There was a heated argument when Rajeev Chandrasekhar was stating his points and Minister KJ George interrupted saying that the matter was sub-judice and asked him to put down his comments in writing.
Questioning the Minister, the MP demanded to know why did he was invited to the meeting when the Minister refused to answer any of his queries.
There seemed to be a deliberate attempt to not allow MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar and few others like former Minister and MLA Suresh Kumar to speak which led to a walkout by all MPs/MLAs except from the Congress.