Karnataka govt to breathe life into abandoned controversial steel flyover project
Bengaluru, Jan 1: The Karnataka government Tuesday decided to review and take up a multi-billion steel bridge project here, which it had scrapped owing to massive public protests in the city.
The previous Siddaramaiah government had cleared the steel bridge from Chalukya Circle to Esteem Mall at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 crore, but abandoned it after public outcry over allegations of lack of transparency.
"Earlier, the Siddaramaiah government had given nod to the steel flyover. The project was brought to a halt for various reasons. Now again we have decided to review and take up the project in the public interest," Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said.
However, this time the government has decided to move cautiously as it intends to seek public opinion before starting the project work.
He said all information would be put in the public domain so that people can analyse the project, give suggestions and provide other information.
"There is a dire need for the bridge. That's why, the detailed project report, design of the plan, estimates and all that will be put in the public domain for their perusal.
"I will also invite suggestions and information on it. Then only, we will table the proposal before the government for final decision," Parameshwara said.
Parameshwara said the steel bridge would reduce travel time from the city to the Kempegowda International Airport from 40-45 minutes to 20-22 minutes.
He said many people miss their flight due to traffic on the Ballari road that leads to the international airport.
Calling it 'steel monstrosity', critics of the project said the government would end up spending more on painting the structure to avoid it getting rusted.
They also said the flyover would take away the aesthetics of Bengaluru.
However, the deputy chief minister said there were political reasons too behind opposition to the project and he was ready to sort out all the problems and shortcomings in it.
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Opposition slams PM Modi’s 'puncture repair' remark, calls it insensitive, divisive
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks about Muslim youth "repairing punctures" have sparked strong criticism from Opposition leaders across the political spectrum. Speaking at the inauguration of an airport in Hisar, Haryana, the Prime Minister alleged misuse of Waqf properties and suggested that honest use of these assets could have improved the livelihoods of Muslim youth.
“If Waqf properties had been used honestly, Muslim youths wouldn’t have to earn a living by repairing bicycle punctures,” the Prime Minister stated. He also alleged that land mafias benefited from these properties instead of the intended beneficiaries, including Dalits, backward communities, and widows. He said the recently amended Waqf law would curb such misuse.
Reacting sharply, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit back, questioning what the government had done for the poor—Hindus or Muslims—in its 11 years in power. He also accused the Centre of further weakening already fragile Waqf laws.
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi condemned the Prime Minister’s choice of words, calling it language typical of online trolls. “Muslims don’t just fix punctures. There are no jobs, and the youth are left with no other options. This doesn’t suit the stature of a Prime Minister,” he said.
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi raised questions about BJP’s commitment to inclusivity, asking why the party does not give election tickets to Muslims.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate further questioned why PM Modi did not pay homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary and asked why BJP has not appointed a Dalit Chief Minister.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, now passed into law, was opposed by the Congress and other Opposition parties, who allege that the legislation targets the minority community and aims to seize control of Waqf properties. The BJP, however, maintains that the amendments are necessary for efficient management of these assets.
मोदी ने कहा कि अगर वक़्फ़ की संपत्तियों का ठीक से इस्तेमाल होता तो मुसलमान नौजवानों को पंक्चर नहीं बनाना पड़ता। अगर संघ परिवार की सोच और संपत्ति देशहित में इस्तेमाल होती, तो मोदी को चाय नहीं बेचनी पड़ती। पिछले 11 साल में मोदी ने ग़रीब भारतीयों — हिंदू या मुसलमान — के लिए क्या…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 14, 2025
