Bengaluru: Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D V Sadananda Gowda on Friday demanded the state government clear the doubts of public and elected representatives on the proposed steel flyover between Basaveshwara Circle and Hebbal.
Speaking with media persons here, D V Sadananda Gowda said the state government should be ready to meet the residents’ welfare associations and other stakeholders to discuss the issue of proposed steel flyover. “The state government should clear all the doubts instead of becoming impatient over the opposition to the proposed steel flyover. Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning K J George had arranged a meeting to explain to me about the steel flyover. I had asked him to clear the doubts such as cost escalation, ecology issues, toll and the fate of the amount paid as VAT. I do not why the state government is silent on around Rs 200 crore included as a VAT in the project cost. It should tell the people of Bengaluru the amount would be paid to the state government by the contractor of the project,” Sadananda Gowda said.
The union minister said that he had advised the Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning to organize a meeting with the elected representatives, NGOs and other stakeholders to clear the doubts on the steel flyover project. “Instead of clearing the doubts, the minister started arguing and quarrelling with the elected representatives and other stakeholders. I am of the opinion that ruling party should get angry whenever people express doubts on the developmental works. It is the responsibility of the ruling party to clear the doubts of the people,” the union minister said.
Commenting on Minister K J George’s statement on handing over the steel flyover project to the Central Government if it is ready to construct the flyover at an estimated cost of Rs 1300 crore, the union minister opined that George should not make such sarcastic statements. “If George made such statement, there is no need for anyone to imagine his contribution for the development of Bengaluru,” the union minister said.
He also suggested the state government to consider the alternative routes to Kempe Gowda International Airport to decongest Ballari Road. “I have made four suggestions on alternative routes to Kempe Gowda International Airport.”
On BSY
The union minister expressed happiness over the CBI court acquitting B S Yeddyurappa and termed the cases filed against him as politically motivated. “The BJP leadership had announced Yeddyurappa as the state BJP president as well as the Chief Ministerial candidate since it was confident on the acquittal of Yeddyurappa. BJP leadership believed that Yeddyurappa did not commit any crime. I am very happy over the CBI court acquitting Yeddyurappa. I am congratulating him. I am confident of BJP coming back to power under the leadership of Yeddyurappa,” the union minister said.
On the comments made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress leaders, the union minister said the head of the state should have confidence on the judiciary. “The head of the state is not supposed to comment on the judiciary,” he said.
