Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya meets Shivakumar, urges scrapping of tunnel road project
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP MP from Bengaluru South Tejasvi Surya on Tuesday met Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and urged him to scrap the proposed tunnel road project in the city, while advocating expansion of the metro and suburban rail networks to ease traffic congestion.
Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, said, "Surya failed to provide alternative measures to ease the city's traffic problems", but added that he respected the MP's suggestions and would direct officials to review them.
"The meeting with the deputy chief minister was very productive," Surya told reporters after the hour-long discussion.
"We discussed in detail how expanding public transport is the only sustainable way to ensure effective mobility in the city. I have requested that the amount proposed to be spent on the car-only tunnel project be diverted towards mass rapid transport systems like the metro. The goal of our policy should be to move more people, not more cars," he said.
Shivakumar, however, has maintained that the proposed tunnel road—from Silk Board to Hebbal—would "transform mobility" in Bengaluru. According to him, the 16.75-km signal-free tunnel would allow commuters to bypass over 25 traffic bottlenecks, saving more than 45 minutes of travel time daily, and provide direct access to the city's IT corridor.
Citing the government's own Detailed Project Report (DPR), Surya pointed out that about 1,800 vehicles could travel per hour in each direction through the tunnel.
"But if the same effort is made to build a metro or MRTS line, close to 69,000 people can be transported per hour in the same direction. The only sustainable solution for Bengaluru is public transport, and he (Shivakumar) wholeheartedly agrees that metro and suburban rail are the only long-term ways to decongest the city," Surya said.
The MP also proposed introducing dedicated loop buses with exclusive lanes along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) to reduce congestion.
"I have proposed that on the ORR, which is the most congested stretch today, we have two metro stations at either end—KR Puram and Silk Board. Between these, if dedicated loop buses run every five or ten minutes on exclusive lanes, it will help thousands reach their offices faster and ease the traffic burden," he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said, "Tejasvi Surya has given a few suggestions. He says the tunnel road will only benefit cars and that the metro network should be expanded. We have no objection to expanding the metro. Along with that, I will discuss his other suggestions with officials."
"He (Surya) also proposed allowing private buses and mini-buses in Bengaluru. But the number of vehicles on city roads is already high. If we permit more private buses, what benefit will that bring? This needs to be discussed," he added.
Shivakumar also said MPs should join him in meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek central funds for the state.
"He (Surya) suggested 70 per cent public transport on the ORR, implementation of BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System), and an increase in suburban trains. I agreed and said, 'Fine, let's go to the centre and ask for funds'," he said.
Surya further urged the deputy chief minister to appoint a chairperson for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA), describing it as a crucial body to coordinate between various transport agencies.
"I have requested him that BMLTA should get a chairperson and be empowered. I have also requested that our footpaths and roads get top priority. We should take this up in mission mode to make Bengaluru’s footpaths the best in the country," Surya said.
Outlining his broader vision, the MP said Bengaluru should have 300 km of metro lines with a 3-minute frequency and 300 km of suburban rail to ensure affordable and efficient public transport for all.
"Money should be spent on sustainable projects that provide long-term solutions, not short-term band-aid fixes," he said.
On concerns that the proposed tunnel could affect Lalbagh, Surya said Shivakumar had assured him that "no damage would be caused to the botanical garden."
"He (Shivakumar) also assured me that no commercial establishment would come up at the Lalbagh site, as mentioned in some reports," Surya said.
Shivakumar clarified that "we are not acquiring six acres of land inside Lalbagh. The entry and exit points will only be at the corners of Lalbagh. If you don't want that location, suggest an alternative site."
Surya reiterated that opposition to the tunnel project was based not "only on environmental concerns but also on its high cost and limited benefits."
The MP said Shivakumar will hold another meeting next week with officials, ORR industry representatives, and CEOs, and has invited him to attend and share his ideas.
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BJP to fight Assam polls on twin planks of development, secure state
Guwahati (PTI): In a bid to win the Assam Assembly elections for the third time in a row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday advised the state BJP brass to fight on twin planks: development and a secure state.
Shah, who wound up a two-day visit to Assam, held a nearly two-hour-long meeting with senior leaders of the BJP state unit at the party headquarters here, with a focus on discussing strategy for the state elections, expected in March-April.
Briefing reporters after the closed-door meeting, BJP Assam president Dilip Saikia said, "Development and a secure Assam will be our twin electoral planks."
He also said that Shah, known for his expertise in electoral politics, has offered valuable suggestions, and based on it, an action plan to retain power in the state will be formulated soon.
“Discussions were held in detail on our organisational and political calendars. Shah ji offered some very valuable suggestions, and we will implement those at the earliest…We will share more details on the action plan soon,” Saikia said.
He further said that the Union minister exhorted the state party leadership to ensure that not only do they secure a ‘massive landslide victory’ but also bag more seats than in the previous election.
The BJP currently leads a coalition government in Assam with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) has also extended support.
In the 126-member Assembly, the BJP now has 64 legislators, while its allies AGP, UPPL and BPF have nine, seven and three memnbers, respectively. In the opposition camp, the Congress’ strength is 26, while AIUDF has 15 members and CPI(M) one. There is an Independent legislator also, belonging to Raijor Dal.
Saikia said that the party will continue to contest the state polls in coalition with its NDA allies, which was also favoured by Shah.
Dismissing reports of chinks in the ruling coalition, the Lok Sabha MP said, “As far as the NDA is concerned, we are united in Assam. There could be discussions about some issues on individual party forums.”
The saffron party has maintained that its alliance with the regional parties will continue, and formalities like seat-sharing arrangements are being worked out.
Shah, who was on his second visit to the state within a month, attended two other events in Dibrugarh and Dheamji earlier in the day. He left for West Bengal after the meeting at the Guwahati state party headquarters.
