BENGALURU: The JD(S)- Congress government touched off an argument on Tuesday after it decided to take a relook at the Rs 2,100-crore metal bridge between Basaveshwara Circle and Hebbal — a distance of 6.9km — just about two years after the undertaking was scrapped due to unremitting opposition by way of civic activists, voters and environmentalists.
In separate press conferences, deputy leader minister G Parameshwara and water resources minister DK Shivakumar defended the undertaking, announcing it introduced the “best possible solution” to ease congestion at the global airport highway and that blackmail techniques received’t faze the federal government. “We’ve decided to take a relook at the undertaking. I've spoken to CM HD Kumaraswamy. We will convey it prior to the cabinet quickly,” the deputy CM mentioned.
The undertaking mooted by way of the Siddaramaiah government was dropped in March 2017 as it required axing of 812 timber. Experts mentioned the answer was unsustainable to scale back town’s traffic woes. There were allegations that the Congress had won kickbacks in approving the undertaking. The BJP and JD (S) had, in keeping with the preferred citizen temper, red-flagged the controversial undertaking.
DyCM: Why oppose a ravishing undertaking?
On public opposition to the undertaking, Parameshwara mentioned they should provide an explanation for the objections.
“It is a gorgeous undertaking. I don’t know why individuals are opposing it. We will put the undertaking main points in public domain, and let people suggest its shortcomings,” he added.
In a coordinated press conference, Shivakumar mentioned he wouldn’t have junked the undertaking if he was the CM. He mentioned: “I’d have heard the protesters out and modified the undertaking, if required. I’d never have long past again on it. (Then CM) Siddaramaiah revered the opposition and dropped the undertaking.”
The minister mentioned the bridge was required as “commuters spend 40-45 minutes on this 6.9km stretch. It is an ordeal, and the federal government desires to position an finish to it.”
The Congress government’s resolution to scrap the bridge undertaking in March 2017 was linked to an argument over an alleged diary discovered all through tax raids on Siddaramaiah’s parliamentary secretary Ok Govindraj in 2016. The diary allegedly mentioned Rs 65 crore in opposition to ‘metal bridge’. Then Bengaluru development minister KJ George had mentioned on March 2 that 12 months: “The undertaking is no more. We confronted many baseless allegations. Like Sita, I’m ready to stand a tribulation by way of hearth and face allegations of corruption.”
On Tuesday, Parameshwara echoed similar thoughts: “Let [critics] say what’s improper with the undertaking. The government is open to tips, it has nothing to cover. Our purpose is to resolve the airport highway traffic problems.”
Shivakumar informed TOI the undertaking has transform “a political bridge”: “The world is having a look at Bengaluru and time is cash. Bengalureans want infrastructure as they're fair taxpayers. Let the BJP learn about choices to the undertaking as an alternative of attractive in blackmail. More paintings and extra energy beget extra enemies.”
In separate press conferences, deputy leader minister G Parameshwara and water resources minister DK Shivakumar defended the undertaking, announcing it introduced the “best possible solution” to ease congestion at the global airport highway and that blackmail techniques received’t faze the federal government. “We’ve decided to take a relook at the undertaking. I've spoken to CM HD Kumaraswamy. We will convey it prior to the cabinet quickly,” the deputy CM mentioned.
The undertaking mooted by way of the Siddaramaiah government was dropped in March 2017 as it required axing of 812 timber. Experts mentioned the answer was unsustainable to scale back town’s traffic woes. There were allegations that the Congress had won kickbacks in approving the undertaking. The BJP and JD (S) had, in keeping with the preferred citizen temper, red-flagged the controversial undertaking.
DyCM: Why oppose a ravishing undertaking?
On public opposition to the undertaking, Parameshwara mentioned they should provide an explanation for the objections.
“It is a gorgeous undertaking. I don’t know why individuals are opposing it. We will put the undertaking main points in public domain, and let people suggest its shortcomings,” he added.
In a coordinated press conference, Shivakumar mentioned he wouldn’t have junked the undertaking if he was the CM. He mentioned: “I’d have heard the protesters out and modified the undertaking, if required. I’d never have long past again on it. (Then CM) Siddaramaiah revered the opposition and dropped the undertaking.”
The minister mentioned the bridge was required as “commuters spend 40-45 minutes on this 6.9km stretch. It is an ordeal, and the federal government desires to position an finish to it.”
The Congress government’s resolution to scrap the bridge undertaking in March 2017 was linked to an argument over an alleged diary discovered all through tax raids on Siddaramaiah’s parliamentary secretary Ok Govindraj in 2016. The diary allegedly mentioned Rs 65 crore in opposition to ‘metal bridge’. Then Bengaluru development minister KJ George had mentioned on March 2 that 12 months: “The undertaking is no more. We confronted many baseless allegations. Like Sita, I’m ready to stand a tribulation by way of hearth and face allegations of corruption.”
On Tuesday, Parameshwara echoed similar thoughts: “Let [critics] say what’s improper with the undertaking. The government is open to tips, it has nothing to cover. Our purpose is to resolve the airport highway traffic problems.”
Shivakumar informed TOI the undertaking has transform “a political bridge”: “The world is having a look at Bengaluru and time is cash. Bengalureans want infrastructure as they're fair taxpayers. Let the BJP learn about choices to the undertaking as an alternative of attractive in blackmail. More paintings and extra energy beget extra enemies.”
Rs 2,100Cr steel bridge back on govt's radar
![Rs 2,100Cr steel bridge back on govt's radar]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
January 02, 2019
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