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Bengaluru, Oct 27 (IANS) Criticizing the Congress government in Karnataka over the ambitious tunnel road project in Bengaluru, the BJP on Monday said reports suggest such a project could prove disastrous for the city, yet Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is “going ahead with the project”.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said that several organizations and environmentalists have already opposed the project. “I don’t think it is in public interest. People will have to pay a toll of Rs 300-400 to use it. If such projects can be done without burdening citizens, then go ahead,” he said, urging the government to give priority to surface roads.
He said that Bengaluru is being developed excessively while neighboring cities are being neglected. “Stop overdeveloping Bengaluru. Focus on Tumkuru, Kolar and Chikkaballapur. Make sure people settle there. Look at Kalaburagi – it is one of the most backward districts in terms of per capita income,” he said. He also appealed to Industries Minister MB Patil to promote industries in Vijayapura.
The Karnataka government has approved a Rs 17,780-crore 16-km tunnel road connecting the northern and southern parts of the city, which will be India’s longest tunnel road after completion. Despite opposition from citizens and experts, the government is planning to invite global tenders soon.
Narayanaswami also reacted sharply to Priyank Kharge’s comment on donations to RSS. “There is no point in answering Priyank Kharge’s questions because I don’t think he has the knowledge to have a meaningful debate,” he said. He said, “Let ED or Income Tax investigate. If Priyank Kharge calls them, will they respond?”
On RSS registration, he clarified, “There is no legal requirement to register RSS,” and accused Kharge of diverting attention. “Unable to discharge his responsibilities, he is misleading people through such malpractices,” he alleged.
Blaming decades of Congress rule for the city’s problems, he said, “BJP has not ruled this state for 40-50 years; it is the Congress that has ruled for almost 63 years.” He said Bengaluru has expanded recklessly beyond Kempegowda’s imagination and warned that if the expansion remains unchecked, cities like Kolar and Tumakuru will soon be engulfed by it.
–IANS
MKA/PGH