BENGALURU: Taking strong objection to Bengaluru Development Minister, K.J. George for calling his opposition to the proposed steel bridge from Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal politically motivated, senior BJP leader, Suresh Kumar pointed out on Friday that he was not the only one objecting to it.
Taking to Facebook to respond to the minister, Mr Kumar observed that several prominent Bengalureans and members of the government’s own vision group were against the project.
Instead of targeting him, he said Mr George should explain how the project cost pegged at Rs 1350 crore in June, now stood at Rs 1800 crore. “ How can there be such a huge difference in such a small span of time?” he demanded, recalling that although he had written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asking for a public hearing on the project, the government had made no move to hold it. “And when experts have made alternative suggestions to the steel bridge, why is the government not ready to consider them?” he asked.
Also joining issue with the government on the planned steel flyover, Mr Prithvi Reddy, state convenor and national executive member of the Aam Aadmi Party, Karnataka, regretted that it was going ahead with it despite the objections raised by city planners and the public.
When the government should be dealing with more pressing problems like the garbage menace and drinking water shortage, it was “ looting the taxpayers money” on the pretext of building the bridge, he charged.
CASFo to seek public opinion on steel flyover
After registering their protest against the steel flyover by forming a human chain, the representatives of the Citizens against Steel Flyover (CASFo) have already started a drive to collect public opinion regarding the steel bridge.
A leading member of CASFo and CXO Search consultant Priya Chetty Rajgopal, told Deccan Chronicle, “Around the city, at thirty different locations we have kept ballot boxes through which the public are registering their opinion. We have already collected feedback from over one lakh citizens till date.”
The feedback will be made public on Sunday, she said and added, “On the same day there will be an open discussion on the pros and cons of the flyover by eminent personalities of the city, including former Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde and others to find appropriate solution.” We have also invited representatives from the government.
Fail to meet Guv: Member of CASFo went to meet Governor Vajubhai Vala to submit a memorandum and discuss the steel flyover issue, but couldn't meet him and plan to do so at a latter date. “Owing to Governor's busy schedule, we could not meet him. We have sought an appointment and will meet him soon,” Priya said.
