Bengaluru, Oct 18 (DHNS): Despite strong opposition from the citizens, the state government has decided to go ahead with the steel flyover project between Basaveshwara Circle and Hebbal flyover.

“The project has been already finalised and there will be no public consultation again. Those who are opposing the project should have raised objections when we sought public opinion.

About 73% of the feedback was in favour of the proposal. Even the court has directed the government to go-ahead with the project. We will issue the work order shortly,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters on Monday. To a question on cost escalation from Rs 1,310 crore to Rs 1,791 crore in the span of two years, the chief minister cited the hike of Value Added Tax (VAT) on steel from 5% to 14%. “The project was first conceived in 2010 when the BJP was in power. It was born during their term and we are only taking it forward. BJP is jealous that we are doing it. Their opposition is politically motivated,” he noted.

Siddaramaiah made a mention that the steel flyover would be extended beyond Hebbal flyover. However, he did not specify details including the additional cost required for the extension or changes in the existing DPR. He reiterated that the government adopted a totally democratic and transparent process.

“The project is not done in a hurry. I had announced it in the 2014-15 budget. It has also received Cabinet approval and the project report is shared on the website. We floated a global tender and picked a contractor who quoted the least,” he said.

“Cutting of trees is inevitable in any developmental project. The government is not against the environment. Besides planting 60,000 saplings, we will try to shift and transplant full grown trees,” he said.