Bengaluru: The citizen groups, which had fought against the steel flyover, have now come together again to thwart the proposed 'elevated corridor' project.
'Tender Raddu Madi', 'Concrete Beda', 'Elevated Corridor Beda' were some the slogans which filled the air near the Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Maurya Circle, where hundreds of citizens - right from children, youth and senior citizens all gathered to register their protest against the elevated corridor.
Holding placards and banners, they demanded that the government scrap elevated corridor project for which nearly 3.500 trees will have to be cut.
Theatre personality Prakash Belawadi slammed the attitude of both the ruling and opposition parties. "While the ruling government is mulling to get this project against the wishes of the people, by hijacking public consultation, the opposition is keeping mum. They are keeping mum because if they happen to form government they can take up the project as this will fetch lot of money."
Citizens for Bengaluru co-founder Srinivas Alavilli said that while the total number of buses in the city has remained the same from the past five years, every passing day more than 1,500 new vehicles are entering the city roads.
He pointed out that studies have proved that if you increase the road capacity, it will only increase the vehicles on road.
Mobility expert Ashish Verma had submitted a comprehensive solution to the traffic congestions in the city. He also pointed out that elevated corridor will not serve any purpose. Even then why this project is being pushed?, questioned a representative of a resident welfare association, who took part in the protest.
It should also be pointed out that an online petition on Change.org platform in this regard has already garnered over 2 lakh signatures.
While the protest was about to conclude, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy tweeted that the elevated corridor was the solution to the traffic congestion, but expressed willingness to hold consultations.
"One of the biggest hurdles in Bengaluru's progress is traffic congestion.The elevated corridor project is the solution to this. Some citizen groups are protesting against the project. My request to all is to come to me and raise their concerns. I will listen with an open mind to your feedback," the Chief Minister tweeted.
Deputy chief minister Dr Parameshwar too said, "While the residents of North Bengaluru want elevated corridor, it is the people from South Bengaluru who do not want it." He expressed hope that the protestors will be convinced.
The campaigners said they were happy to note that the Chief Minister has responded to the protest on twitter.
While they said they will be happy to discuss the issue with the Chief Minister, they emphasized on the need to follow the constitutionally and legally mandated due process before taking up such projects.
