Bengaluru opposes steel flyover- Massive human chain formed

Bengaluru, Oct 16: The human chain protest against the proposed steel flyover in Bengaluru has received massive support. At least 3,000 people came out on the streets between the Chalukya circle and Mekhri circle to protest against the construction of the flyover.

The protestors formed a human chain and demanded that the government immediately scrap this project. The government proposes to construct this flyover at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore. At least 800 trees in the Garden City would be felled to facilitate this project.

The protestors said that the state government should at least now wake up to the reality and cancel the project which is unscientific and threat to greenery. Children, senior citizens, women and others from all walks of life took part in this significant protest.

In a statement the Swaraj Abhiyan says that the BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) has proposed to build a steel flyover from Chalukya Hotel Junction to Hebbal on the Bellary road, citing heavy congestion of airport bound traffic.

The estimated cost is Rs.1,791 crores. This Flyover will result in bottlenecks at both the start and end points, as per traffic experts.

While BDA has planned multiple exit points at Chalukya Circle, at Hebbal junction the flyover has been left to face heavy congestion due to this new traffic alignment. The traffic would get congested at the Hebbal junction, creating a nightmare for Commuters!

Multiple ways to de-congest the ever increasing traffic across the city have been suggested by various stakeholders. Without thinking about alternate solutions or inviting public debate, this high-handed, insensitive decision ignores the interests of common commuters.

It is seen to pander to preferential treatment for flight convenience of VIPs and is most undemocratic and unacceptable. It also smacks of non-transparency in a huge project of prohibitive costs!

Illegal:

• Going against the BMPC (Bangalore Metropolitan Planning Committee), setup under the 74th Constitutional Amendment.
• Change in the land-use against the provisions in Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act.
• Violation of Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, as around 800 trees are expected to be axed.
• No resolution to Common Commuters traffic woes in other congested areas.
• A whopping Rs.1,791 of taxpayers money is going to be wasted on this project, which could, otherwise, be used effectively to provide better transportation system for all Bengalurians.

Proposals:

• Increase the frequency of public transportation system, e.g., Bus Service, Metro Rail Service.
• Reduce the Fares for public transportation system in Bangalore, which is the highest in the country.
• Introduce BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) System to de-congest and for faster movement of the traffic for the Common Commuters throughout Bangalore.

OneIndia News