New overbridge snub to Mayawati

The controversial and much talked about railway overbridge that passes very close to the bungalow of the BSP chief Mayawati in Lucknow was opened for public on Tuesday.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav dedicated the overbridge for the public here on Tuesday in the presence of a large number of dignitaries, including senior officials and Samajwadi Party leaders.

The Samajwadi Party regime had announced the construction of the overbridge after winning 2012 Assembly polls, citing traffic congestion in the VIP area.

The decision had generated much heat as the Bahujan Samaj Party leaders had vehemently protested against its construction, alleging that it was a security threat to the former chief minister Mayawati.

The party had alleged that the overbridge exposed Mayawati’s palatial bungalow at Mall Avenue as well as the grand BSP office in Lucknow. It also threatened to hold demonstrations throughout the state then.

The Akhilesh Yadav regime completed the overbridge in a record 16 months.
The state government lobbied hard for the bridge and was able to obtain necessary clearance from the Centre in quick time.

Government sources said the Chief Minister had taken personal interest in its construction.

“It was sort of a prestige project for us,” a senior SP leader told Deccan Herald here
The overbridge has high railings on both sides and it has been covered by plastic sheets to prevent passersby from looking over it.

Since the overbridge passed through a VIP area, which housed several important people, including the Chief Minister and other ruling party senior leaders, it has been made soundproof.