Bengaluru: Amid widespread concern and fear, the Karnataka government has decided to revive the elevated corridor project, which it believes will be the solution to traffic congestion here. The project is set to begin by January 2019, at a whopping cost of Rs 25,495 crore.
In a meeting held to discuss the 'detailed feasibility report' (DPR), Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the proposed six inter-connected corridors will be built in five phases and will connect the north-south, east-west and central parts of Bengaluru city.
The government had already earmarked Rs 1000 crore for this project in the budget announced in July.
After the announcement, many activists had opposed the move, saying civil society wasn't consulted before taking this decision.
Reacting to their protest, CM Kumarswamy had then suggested that these people shouldn't complain about Bengaluru's notorious traffic.
Speaking to the media after Thursday's meeting, the CM reiterated that this project was a way to de-congest Bengaluru's traffic and reduce travel time. However, if people are still not convinced, he is willing to hear them out.
"There is a section of people opposing this project who believe that it will do no good, but vehicle can't be driven at 15-20kms/hr and they will be the ones to blame the government for that too. But if people have genuine concerns the doors of Vidhan Souda are always open, they can come and address them to me," Kumaraswamy said.
The construction cost of these 102.04 kms is estimated to be Rs 15,299 crores for which the government will have to acquire 90.11 acres of land as well as work with various agencies like BMRCL, BBMP, Railways, BSNL, GAIL, among others.
This project will also have a huge environmental cost with an estimated 3,716 trees said to be relocated. Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB), a peoples movement which came together to oppose the controversial steel flyover, believe that the elevated corridor project is yet another misplaced priority of the state government.
Tara Krishnaswamy a member of CfB says that the government has held no public consultation for the project which is an essential part under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act 1961.
"The government does an eye wash by organising Janaaspandana programmes, but peoples’ opinions are never taken when it comes to big projects like the elevated corridor. There has been no social, economic or environmental impact assessment done," said Krishnaswamy.
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