JOIN USSteel flyover to be back in concrete avatar
The state government, which faced stiff opposition to its steel flyover project from Chalukya Circle (Basaveshwara Circle) to Hebbal, is set to resurrect it by going in for a concrete flyover instead of steel. A detailed project report (DPR) for the flyover is likely to be ready within two weeks.
In conversation with DH on Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said he has told officials “to do away with steel” which had led to a controversy.
“The reason for choosing steel was that the foundation of the pillars need not go as deep as concrete and hence, would take less time to build. I have instructed officials to prepare a DPR for a concrete bridge and it will be ready in two weeks,” he said.
The project had faced public opposition when it was proposed by the previous Congress government due to its impact on the environment. According to documents, 812 trees have to make way for the bridge and only 56 of them can be transplanted.
Asked about concerns of the activists, Parameshwara said the government will compensate for the loss of greenery by planting more trees in the coming days.
“Trees have to be cut along the stretch and there is no alternative. Tenders will be called to plant one lakh saplings ahead of June. We are also mulling to incentivise tree planting by the general public,” he said.
The proposal is likely to rankle civil society which launched a movement against the project.
When asked about the claims that the flyover was not sustainable, the deputy chief minister promised that the DPR will be placed before the public.
“We will place the project report in public domain. The suggestions by the public will be considered before a decision is made,” he said.
According to the previous DPR, the work comprised the main flyover of 6.68 km as well as eight ramps of about 4.5 km.
It also proposed three underpasses at Chalukya junction, Millers Road and Cunningham Road.