Bengaluru, Nov 7 (DHNS): Hundreds of Bengalureans gathered at Freedom Park on Sunday morning to continue showing their opposition to the steel flyover project.

Senior citizens, adults and children alike participated in the day-long satyagraha, carrying placards and posters that read ‘steel flyover beda’. They were resolute in their demand: cancel the tender handed to a construction firm to build the flyover.

Bengalureans who were part of the event were vocal about their concerns, proposing solutions to the issue of mobility. Several senior citizens recollected the city’s past glory.

Prakash Belawadi, actor and theatre person, said, “The government is right to ask us if we had been sleeping when the project was announced. As citizens, we have allowed our city to become what it is, and today we are here to introspect on that.” Belawadi is also founding member of Citizens for Bengaluru, which is spearheading the campaign against the construction of the six-lane elevated road from Basaveshwara Circle to the Hebbal flyover.

Playwright Girish Karnad made a brief appearance, despite ailing health. “Bengaluru’s health is more important than mine. ‘Beda’ is all I have to say about the flyover,” he said.

Artist Baadal Nanjundaswamy expressed unhappiness over the loss of tree cover by way of a simple installation of stumps of axed trees with crosses on them. Bengaluru-based fusion band Swarathma gave their most popular songs a twist by making a mention of the controversial flyover. People observed silence for 30 minutes to introspect on the goal of their campaign.

“Bengaluru is a laid-back city where people like to wake up late and go for their Sunday brunch. But citizens have woken up and gathered here to save our city,” said Nazneen Tonse, a writer, who has lived here since the 70s. “This campaign is not anti-government or against any party. It is about saving the place we call home,” she said.

Seventy-year-old Satya Achayya, who has fought for many causes, said, “I am hopeful about the success of this campaign. It is the strongest citizens’ movement I have seen in Bengaluru since Anna Hazare’s campaign.” Architect.