Steel flyover in HC: Govt yet to seek clearances

The state government on Tuesday submitted to the Karnataka High Court that they were yet to seek clearance from the Environment Department for the construction of the proposed steel flyover.

A PIL was filed by the Namma Bengaluru Foundation and was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Aravind Kumar on Wednesday. The case was adjourned till June.

The advocate representing the petitioner said, "On March 31, 2017, the Chennai Bench of the National Green Tribunal had stayed the construction of the steel flyover" and noted that clearances from the Environment Department have not been sought.

"It is being reported that the proposal to construct a steel bridge is again being considered at the government level. This will be in violation of the NGT orders," the petitioner argued and also submitted a copy of the NGT verdict.

The chief justice asked whether the government or the BDA had questioned the NGT verdict in a higher court.

Advocate General Uday Holla replied that the NGT orders were not challenged in a higher court. He said the government is yet to take the permission of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority- Karnataka. "We have not applied for it yet," said Holla.

The petitioner also said the government has not considered public opinion, the approval of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Planning Committee or civic experts.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara welcomed the verdict while hinting that the flyover was a necessity.

"Hebbal is a huge traffic bottleneck, not just affecting north Bengaluru but even those living in different parts of the city travelling to the airport. Solving traffic issues in the city is our priority," he said.

In another tweet, Parameshwara said the details "will be available in the public domain and we shall comply with the procedure laid down by the law after due consultation and public feedback (sic)".