Suresh Kumar: What is stopping Govt from making project details public?

Commenting on the meeting convened by Bengaluru development minister K J George, former minister and MLA Suresh Kumar, who was among the first to walk out of the meeting, had this to say: "It was evident that Mr George had already decided to go ahead with the project. Calling for a meeting was a mere formality."

Why is there so much opposition to the project?
There is wide-ranging criticism and opposition from citizens and experts as they have not been given proper details about the project. What is stopping the government from making public all the details relating to the project? All are demanding a public consultation seeking details of the project, especially the cost escalation.

But the BDA claims to have already done a public consultation…
The public consultation the BDA conducted was a sham. Enough time was not given to the people to respond.

How, according to you, should the public consultation have been done?
People from all walks of life, including citizens, urban experts, scientists and others should be called for a public hearing. During that time, all their problems and suggestions should have been heard.

Is the steel flyover the only way to ease traffic congestion from Chalukya Circle till Esteem Mall in Hebbal?
No. We are asking the government to look at other options to ease the congestion. According to architect Naresh Narasimhan, the congestion can be eased by building 2 small flyovers, one at Windsor Manor and the other at Cauvery Junction. Apart from this, there are many alternative routes to KIA, which the government can explore rather spending such a whopping amount of money.

At the meeting convened by Bengaluru development minister K J George, you were the first to walk out…
What is the purpose of convening a meeting when Mr George is not ready to listen to those who were invited for the meet? According to me the only purpose of calling the meeting was to show the public that a meeting was convened and attended by MLAs and MPs of Bengaluru.

What is your next course of action?
We are with the citizens. We will work in such a way that the voice of the citizens is heard.