In a major victory for citizens, the proposed Rs 1,761-crore steel flyover in Bengaluru has been scrapped following opposition from environmentalists and rights groups who claimed that more than 800 trees will be cut for the project.
As protests mounted against the project, Bengaluru Development Minister KJ George told that the steel flyover will not be constructed. "The plan has been cancelled," he said.
The 6.72-km long flyover project by Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) was meant to decongest city traffic.
The project faced opposition as it allegedly involved felling of over 800 trees. Farmers too had opposed the project. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium too had reportedly said that ramps may block the view of the sky.
Actor Prakash Belwadi, member of Citizens for Bengaluru, said, “We're grateful to Chief Minister of Karnataka for listening to people's protests. We are hopeful that this citizen awakening in Bengaluru will help shape a better city with greater public participation in governance.”
NGO Namma Bengaluru founded by Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrashekar had earlier moved the National Green Tribunal stating that a large amount of green cover in the city would be lost due to the project. Subsequently, the Chennai bench of NGT had issued a stay on the project.
“I congratulate the government to for dropping the plan, one good move in last four years. I have always supported the initiatives when it comes to development of Bangalore, but it is impossible to work with the present government,” he said.
