Bengaluru: While the government prepares to lay the foundation stone for a steel bridge running from Chalukya Circle to Hebbal to ease traffic to the Kempegowda International Airport, next month, some civic experts continue to oppose it, claiming it will only be a monstrous eyesore and do little to decongest the city.
They also warn the 6.7 km long steel structure, to be built at a cost of Rs 1350 crore, could end up being mere wasteful investment. Calling the project a 'bad idea', civic evangelist, V Ravichandar says it will only promote the use of private vehicles over public transport, which cannot help the city’s traffic troubles.
"All the steel bridge will do is transfer the congestion to the Vidhana Soudha area. Projects like these are an eyesore and will shrink public spaces," he warned. Mr Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO of Namma Bengaluru Foundation, says he doesn’t understand why the government is in such a tearing hurry to get this project going.
“Despite the huge money being invested in it, I doubt if the steel flyover will be of any use to the public," he said, arguing that instead of wasting so much money on one single project to decongest traffic heading towards the international airport, the government should invest more in improving public transport.
"People should be involved and their feedback taken before preparing such projects. I believe the government is misguided in opting for this steel corridor," he added.
