A meeting of city legislatorsand Members of Parliament convened today to discuss the proposed construction of a controversial steel flyover remained inconclusive, with BJP staging a walkout, accusing Congress of "threatening" and "scuttling" its voice.
The meeting was convened by Bengaluru Development and Town Planning Minister K J George in an attempt to takepublic representatives from the city on board, byinforming about the actualities of the project, which has beenwitnessing demonstrations both for and against it.
Alleging that George and Congress MLAs did not allow them make their point, BJP said the meeting was a"drama" and the party's honest attempts to give its suggestions were scuttled.
The Rs 1,761 crore steel flyover to link Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal to improve connectivity to Bengaluru international airport has come in for flak from civic groups and political parties on cost and environmental concerns.
BJP legislators came out of the meeting hall, shouting slogans against the government.
"We had come to give our suggestion. When we were giving our suggestions George and Congress MLAs started shouting with an intention to shut our voice," Former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka told reporters here.
He said whenever they tried to give suggestions, comments were passed. When Suresh Kumar (senior BJP MLA) was speaking, he was called a 'magic box expert' and whenRajeev Chandrasekhar (MP) spoke, they told him to gobefore the court where he has filed a petition against theproject, he said.
Stating that consultants, contractors and even the date for the groundbreaking ceremony has already been fixed, he said the meeting was called to try and cover up the project"that is stinking with allegations of corruption".
Terming the meeting as a "drama", Suresh Kumar said their intention wasnot to entertain any serious objections or points that would goagainst their "favourite" steel flyover.
"This government is bent upon going aheadwithout listening to the sincere concerns of the citizens. Wewill plan our next course of action."
Earlier, suspended JD(S) MLA Gopalaiah had walked outof the meet, demanding that Bengaluru Development Authority, that is managing the project, to first compensate those who have "sacrificed their property for variousdevelopmental works in the city".
On BJP's charges, George said theygave many suggestions in the meeting. "What hashappened is they have already decided against the steelflyover. Their leader now is none other than RajeevChandrasekhar. Whatever he says, BJP follows it," he said.
On Ashok's charges that government was hiding the cabinet
decision to collect toll once the project iscompleted, he said, "It (steel bridge) is part of a biggerelevated corridor which is about 120 km, this 7 km is part ofit."
Stating that government may have to collect toll for 120 kmelevated road for finance and funding purposes, George said, "Weare not going to toll now (for 7 km), but when we go for 120 km, we will discuss and take decision."
On the high maintenance cost the flyover may require, George said it would be prefabricated and galvanised with a chemical. There was no need for maintenancefor 20 years.
Anti-flyover groups under leadership of 'Citizensfor Bengaluru' which is galvanising public opinion onthe proposed project through online petitions and signaturecampaigns, have also petitioned the Karnataka Governor on theissue.
Unfazed by protests, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier defendedthe project, calling it "totally transparent" and hadclarified that the escalation in cost was due to two years delay in tender and steep increase in VAT on steel.
It is estimated that 812 trees will be felled for the project.
