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Bengaluru, Oct 28 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said BJP Rashtriya Yuva Morcha president and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, who met him earlier in the day to discuss the Bengaluru Tunnel Road project and traffic congestion in the state capital, has not given any alternative solution.
Speaking to reporters at the Bharat Jodo auditorium of the state Congress unit office, Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, said: “The suggestions given by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion do not offer any alternative solution. However, I respect his suggestions and will direct officials to examine them.”
Asked about the meeting, he said, “He (Surya) has given some suggestions. He said the proposed tunnel road will only benefit cars and the metro network should also be expanded. We have no objection to integrating metro connectivity. I will discuss his other suggestions with officials. He has also suggested allowing private and mini buses in Bengaluru. But the number of vehicles on the city roads is already high. Is. So we should consider whether allowing private buses would be of any benefit.” Be of some use.”
Shivakumar said, “He said that the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) should be formed. I asked him why it was not done during his tenure, and he replied that it could not be done then. I asked him how much financial assistance the central government is providing for the development of Bengaluru. I told him, let all your MPs come, I will join you – together we will appeal to the Prime Minister. Can meet and demand money.”
The Deputy Chief Minister clarified that there is no plan to use six acres of Lalbagh land for the tunnel road. He said, “The only entry and exit points of the tunnel will be on the Lalbagh side. I asked him to suggest alternative locations if it is not acceptable. He said tunnel roads are being opposed in all countries. I told him decisions cannot be taken based on just one person’s opinion.”
“He (Surya) also said that 70 per cent of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) should be used for public transport and Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) should be implemented. He suggested increasing the number of suburban trains. I agreed and told him that we can go to the Central government to request funds and discuss it with Union Minister of State V. Somanna. So far, not a single suburban train has been added. Because the Center has not provided funds. How can everything depend only on us? I said, Shivkumar said, “It is not enough to just give suggestions, they will have to allocate funds also.”
Regarding the BJP leader’s comment that promoting public transport will reduce private vehicle usage, Shivakumar said: “You have come here using your own vehicle – can I stop you from doing that? It is a social reality that people like to travel with their families in their vehicles. Can we stop them? If the MP wants, he should appeal to the residents of his constituency to leave their cars at home and use public transport. Let’s see that.” How many people will follow this? Even today, a person without a car struggles to get a car. The bride. The MP has no understanding of such social realities.”
On why Suriya met him on one hand and filed a PIL on the other, Shivakumar said, “Let him file any PIL. If necessary, let the court form a committee to inspect all the proposed locations. If there is any mistake by me or my officials, we are ready to rectify it.”
Regarding his earlier comment that the treasury was empty, he said, “Yes, I said so in the context of finance. Every project requires money. Tweets and criticisms alone cannot bring solutions. Let them take funds from the Prime Minister. Anyone can suggest as much as they want. They say no tunnelled roads, buildings will not be demolished, but if we increase buses, how many of them will actually be used? Will there be metro everywhere? Is it possible to draw lines?
On the preparatory meeting for the council elections, Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, said: “We will finalize the candidates for teachers and graduates constituencies within the next 8 to 10 days. A preparatory meeting was held to organize our workers. After consultation with party workers and ticket aspirants, I will recommend the names to Delhi.”
–IANS
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