BJP leaders carry out signature campaign, silent protest against Bengaluru tunnel road project
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP leaders in Karnataka on Sunday carried out a signature campaign and a silent protest at the Lalbagh botanical garden here, against the state government's proposed tunnel road project in Bengaluru, calling it a "VIP corridor".
The protest led by the Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly R Ashoka and Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, under the slogan "Protect Bengaluru - Stop tunnel road", was also participated by several party legislators from the city.
The leaders also interacted with the public, morning walkers at the Lalbagh regarding the proposed project.
BJP leaders and other activists have raised concerns over the possible environmental impact of the project on Lalbagh, and have said it will clearly be a disaster for Bengaluru.
Leaders have alleged that in Lalbagh, 6 acres of land will be acquired for the project.
Reacting to BJP's signature campaign, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also in charge of Bengaluru development said he was ready to constitute a committee on the tunnel road under the leadership of Ashoka, and its members will be selected as per his recommendations, "let them give solutions."
"This (project) is not my property or anyone else's, it is for the public good. I have studied everything, I'm not a fool to destroy Lalbagh. They (BJP) are doing politics, doesn't the metro project have tunnels. They don't want development .....opposition is a different matter, let them give suggestions and solutions, I'm ready to examine," he said.
He said that he too can give a call for a signature campaign using the Congress party organisation, while BJP can't do anything without RSS. "Without RSS they (BJP) is zero."
The proposed 16.75-km tunnel road will connect Silk Board and Hebbal, at an estimated cost of about Rs 17,800 crore.
Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters here, Ashoka said, this is not a twin tunnel road for citizens, it is a "VIP corridor".
"The tunnel road project will not benefit the middle class, lower middle class poor, which constitutes over 90 percent of Bengaluru's population.
Two wheelers are not allowed on the tunnel road, only cars are allowed. 70 per cent of vehicles in the city are two wheelers. It is a VIP project.
Bengaluru corporation will have to take a Rs 8,000 crore loan for this project, a tender has been called for this," he said.
Noting that the project will have negative effect on Bengaluru's economy, the Leader of Opposition said, the project will come 130 ft below the ground, no permission has been taken from the geological survey department for the project which passes through Lalbagh, which is a monument.
Questioning whether the tunnel road will fix Bengaluru's traffic issues, he said, "we are not opposed to development. First fix the potholes on the roads above the ground, which have created a world record of sorts. What happened to the CM's deadline to fix all potholes in the city by October 31? As per officials still 25,000 potholes are to be filled."
Ashoka also raised questions on the feasibility of the project, and also termed it as a "costly" project.
Advising Shivakumar to go for expanding the Metro network in the city instead of tunnel roads, he said, permissions from 120 departments are required for tunnel roads, but none of them have come. "Has the tender been called without permission for the sake of commission? Is this tunnel road project for funding to Bihar or Tamil Nadu polls?"
MP Surya termed the tunnel road project as -- by the rich and for the rich, and financially unviable, said, BJP as a party is opposing this project on behalf of the people of Bengaluru.
"Only 12 percent people use cars in Bengaluru and this project only helps them that too by spending Rs 20,000 per month on toll. Various lakes and parks have been identified as entry and exits for this tunnel road project.
Officials have no answers to questions on whether they have taken environmental clearance or clearance from the Geological survey, hydrological survey or assessment, but they have called tender," he said.
Noting that the project will make Bengaluru and Karnataka government "bankrupt", the MP said, "this project is so financially unviable that in the DPR itself it is said that Rs 7,500 crore viability gap funding will be given to the contractors. Where will this amount come from? by taking a loan."
He suggested the government look into expanding the metro, providing good roads and footpaths, while comparing that the estimated cost for tunnel road could fund over 300 km of metro construction, as he highlighted that public transport, which carries 60,000 commuters per hour (against the tunnel's projected 1,800 vehicles), is the viable solution.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar, slamming Surya for his opposition to the tunnel road project said, he is suggesting suburban trains, let him get it done from the central government. He is also talking about implementation of BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System), but where is the place in Bengaluru?
Responding to a question, the Deputy CM chided Surya by calling a "big leader" with "high talent".
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
