Approval nowhere in sight, but govt to start work on steel flyover

The state government is all set to launch work on the controversial steel flyover here even before the Urban Development Department approves its revised plan.

Initially, the flyover was to begin at Basaveshwara Circle and end near the Hebbal flyover. When the government decided to extend the structure till Esteem Mall, it drew up a revised project report.

BDA Engineer-Member P N Nayak told DH the revised plan would be sent for approval soon. Many citizens are opposing the project, but the government is clearly pushing ahead impatiently.

DH reported on Thursday that the government had used bizarre logic to turn down an RTI request, saying the content was private.

A work order will be issued to L&T, the company executing the project, in two to three days, Nayak said.  A provision exists in the tender to accommodate changes and variations, he added, justifying the haste. He maintained the cost of the project would cover the extension.

“There is thus no need for external funding,” he said. Nayak asserted the BDA had enough funds, and didn’t have to explain how it was mobilising resources for the project.

Mahendra Jain, BDA Chairman and Additional Chief Secretary Urban Development Department, told DH approval had been given on the basis of the original plan (from Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal flyover).

It is mandatory for the government to send extension and cost escalation details to the department.  A departmental source said the approval was a formality as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Bengaluru Development Minister K J George had already announced that the flyover would be extended till Esteem Mall.

When DH called L&T, its spokesperson refused to comment. He said the company was not aware of the plan to extend the flyover. “We are yet to get the work order. We can comment only after that,’’ he said.