Bengaluru, Sep 4 (IANS) Union Minister of State, Shobha Karandlaje, on Friday urged the Karnataka government to conduct a comprehensive scientific study of Bengaluru’s traffic congestion before proceeding with the proposed tunnel road project.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP state office Jagannath Bhavan in Bengaluru, Karandlaje opposed the tunnel road project in its present form and questioned the sharp increase in its estimated cost.
She said the estimated cost of the first package of the tunnel road project had increased from Rs 5,484 crore to Rs 10,734 crore, while the second package was estimated at Rs 11,263 crore.
“Why has the tender amount increased by nearly 97 per cent?” she questioned, alleging that the project was being taken up without adequate preparation or a proper scientific study.
Referring to the government’s circular stating that the tender premium should not exceed 5 per cent, she questioned how such a massive increase in the project cost had been allowed.
“Rahul Gandhi should have called the bidding for this Rs 10,000 crore,” she said, alleging that the Karnataka High Court had sought a technical report on the project and alleged that the government had invited tenders in haste without completing the necessary studies.
“How will safety be ensured if the Metro and tunnel road run together? What study have you conducted?” she asked.
Karandlaje urged the government not to “destroy Bengaluru” during the remaining year of its tenure. She also said she would pray on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami to protect the city.
Karandlaje also criticised the government over its decision to temporarily withdraw the proposed parks-related Bill following opposition from Bengaluru residents and protests by senior citizens.
She said the government had withdrawn the Bill temporarily because of public opposition and noted that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had stated that public opinion would be sought before bringing it back before the Assembly.
However, she alleged that Home Minister Priyank Kharge had indicated that the Bill would be brought back without changing even a “full stop”.
She also opposed the proposed legislation concerning the protection of lakes, alleging that Bengaluru’s lakes had already been encroached upon and converted into layouts and commercial complexes in the interests of real estate.
“This is why Bengaluru becomes like a lake whenever it rains,” she said.
Karandlaje said the government should not take away public parks and lakes. “You have only about one year left. Do not destroy Karnataka,” she warned.
She further accused the government of being driven by financial interests and alleged that the cost of essential services, including water, electricity and garbage collection, was increasing every month.
Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and BJP Bengaluru North district president S. Harish were present at the press conference.
–IANS
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