Bengaluru Development Minister KJ George's statement that there is no need to obtain permission from the Bangalore Metropolitan Planning Committee for the steel flyover project has not gone down well with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a member of the BMPC.
Chandrasekhar, who is also an Independent member of the Rajya Sabha, said that it was "foolish" of George as well as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to state that the BMPC didn't come into picture in infrastructure projects. "It clearly shows that the government does not want transparency in any of its acts and decision-making," he told DH.
The BMPC is a statutory body formed under the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act to provide for people's involvement in decision-making in metropolitan areas.
Chandrasekhar said that not consulting the BMPC was tantamount to "disrespecting" the Constitution. The BMPC has 88 members, including corporators, zilla panchayat members, MLAs, MLCs, parliamentarians and members of the public.
"How can they say that the BMPC will be consulted only on planning. Bengaluru's planning is a sum of many projects like infrastructure, storm water drains, flyovers, roadworks and hospitals. These are all part of the city's planning," he stated. "How can they say that the BMPC will be consulted only on planning, and the government will decide on infrastructure projects."
Chandrasekhar, who supports the BJP, said George and the BDA came out with a "half-baked lie" following a public outcry over the project and that "they are saying what they want to say". The flyover project has been announced in the name of improving connectivity to the airport, not the city. "This shows there is no thinking.
The government wants to revive the steel industry. If that is the case, it should construct all buildings of steel," he said.
The MP stressed that such large projects cannot be implemented with limited public consultation. "There is a need for multi-week and multi-month public consultations and discussions with groups and resident welfare associations and road users.
Bengalureans should be aware of what is happening in their city. The Supreme Court has upheld this rule, which the BDA is violating," he stated.
Project is transparent, says CM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has brushed aside allegations that the steel flyover project was "shrouded in mystery" as the government hurried through it "to get funds for the 2018 Assembly elections". "Everything is transparent. All details about the project have been hosted on the BDAwebsite," he told reporters on Thursday but did not take anymore questions on the issue.
The BDA'swebsite has posted an 11-page backgrounder on the project, including 11 frequently asked questions.
Will consider public opinion: Law minister
Law Minister T B Jayachandra has said that the government would look into objections raised by the public on the steel flyover project, reports DHNS from Bengaluru.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said though the Cabinet had approved the project, public opinion would be considered before work started. When his attention was drawn to the large number of trees to be axed for the project, Jayachandra said, "It is inevitable to cut trees if the flyover has to be built."![]( "The BMPC is a statutory body formed under the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act to provide for people's involvement in decision-making in metropolitan areas.")
Bengaluru Development Minister K J George’s statement that there is no need to obtain permission from the Bangalore Metropolitan Planning Committee for the steel flyover project has not gone down well with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a member of the BMPC.
Chandrasekhar, who is also an Independent member of the Rajya Sabha, said that it was "foolish” of George as well as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to state that the BMPC didn’t come into picture in infrastructure projects. "It clearly shows that the government does not want transparency in any of its acts and decision-making,” he told DH.
The BMPC is a statutory body formed under the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act to provide for people’s involvement in decision-making in metropolitan areas.
Chandrasekhar said that not consulting the BMPC was tantamount to "disrespecting” the Constitution. The BMPC has 88 members, including corporators, zilla panchayat members, MLAs, MLCs, parliamentarians and members of the public.
"How can they say that the BMPC will be consulted only on planning. Bengaluru’s planning is a sum of many projects like infrastructure, storm water drains, flyovers, roadworks and hospitals. These are all part of the city’s planning,” he stated. "How can they say that the BMPC will be consulted only on planning, and the government will decide on infrastructure projects.”
Chandrasekhar, who supports the BJP, said George and the BDA came out with a "half-baked lie” following a public outcry over the project and that "they are saying what they want to say”. The flyover project has been announced in the name of improving connectivity to the airport, not the city. "This shows there is no thinking.
The government wants to revive the steel industry. If that is the case, it should construct all buildings of steel,” he said.
The MP stressed that such large projects cannot be implemented with limited public consultation. "There is a need for multi-week and multi-month public consultations and discussions with groups and resident welfare associations and road users.
Bengalureans should be aware of what is happening in their city. The Supreme Court has upheld this rule, which the BDA is violating,” he stated.
Project is transparent, says CM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has brushed aside allegations that the steel flyover project was "shrouded in mystery” as the government hurried through it "to get funds for the 2018 Assembly elections”. "Everything is transparent. All details about the project have been hosted on the BDA website,” he told reporters on Thursday but did not take anymore questions on the issue.
The BDA’s website has posted an 11-page backgrounder on the project, including 11 frequently asked questions.
Will consider public opinion: Law minister
Law Minister T B Jayachandra has said that the government would look into objections raised by the public on the steel flyover project, reports DHNS from Bengaluru.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said though the Cabinet had approved the project, public opinion would be considered before work started. When his attention was drawn to the large number of trees to be axed for the project, Jayachandra said, "It is inevitable to cut trees if the flyover has to be built.”
Chandrasekhar, who is also an Independent member of the Rajya Sabha, said that it was "foolish" of George as well as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to state that the BMPC didn't come into picture in infrastructure projects. "It clearly shows that the government does not want transparency in any of its acts and decision-making," he told DH.
The BMPC is a statutory body formed under the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act to provide for people's involvement in decision-making in metropolitan areas.
Chandrasekhar said that not consulting the BMPC was tantamount to "disrespecting" the Constitution. The BMPC has 88 members, including corporators, zilla panchayat members, MLAs, MLCs, parliamentarians and members of the public.
"How can they say that the BMPC will be consulted only on planning. Bengaluru's planning is a sum of many projects like infrastructure, storm water drains, flyovers, roadworks and hospitals. These are all part of the city's planning," he stated. "How can they say that the BMPC will be consulted only on planning, and the government will decide on infrastructure projects."
Chandrasekhar, who supports the BJP, said George and the BDA came out with a "half-baked lie" following a public outcry over the project and that "they are saying what they want to say". The flyover project has been announced in the name of improving connectivity to the airport, not the city. "This shows there is no thinking.
The government wants to revive the steel industry. If that is the case, it should construct all buildings of steel," he said.
The MP stressed that such large projects cannot be implemented with limited public consultation. "There is a need for multi-week and multi-month public consultations and discussions with groups and resident welfare associations and road users.
Bengalureans should be aware of what is happening in their city. The Supreme Court has upheld this rule, which the BDA is violating," he stated.
Project is transparent, says CM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has brushed aside allegations that the steel flyover project was "shrouded in mystery" as the government hurried through it "to get funds for the 2018 Assembly elections". "Everything is transparent. All details about the project have been hosted on the BDAwebsite," he told reporters on Thursday but did not take anymore questions on the issue.
The BDA'swebsite has posted an 11-page backgrounder on the project, including 11 frequently asked questions.
Will consider public opinion: Law minister
Law Minister T B Jayachandra has said that the government would look into objections raised by the public on the steel flyover project, reports DHNS from Bengaluru.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said though the Cabinet had approved the project, public opinion would be considered before work started. When his attention was drawn to the large number of trees to be axed for the project, Jayachandra said, "It is inevitable to cut trees if the flyover has to be built."
Bengaluru Development Minister K J George’s statement that there is no need to obtain permission from the Bangalore Metropolitan Planning Committee for the steel flyover project has not gone down well with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a member of the BMPC. Chandrasekhar, who is also an Independent member of the Rajya Sabha, said that it was "foolish” of George as well as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to state that the BMPC didn’t come into picture in infrastructure projects. "It clearly shows that the government does not want transparency in any of its acts and decision-making,” he told DH.
The BMPC is a statutory body formed under the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act to provide for people’s involvement in decision-making in metropolitan areas.
Chandrasekhar said that not consulting the BMPC was tantamount to "disrespecting” the Constitution. The BMPC has 88 members, including corporators, zilla panchayat members, MLAs, MLCs, parliamentarians and members of the public.
"How can they say that the BMPC will be consulted only on planning. Bengaluru’s planning is a sum of many projects like infrastructure, storm water drains, flyovers, roadworks and hospitals. These are all part of the city’s planning,” he stated. "How can they say that the BMPC will be consulted only on planning, and the government will decide on infrastructure projects.”
Chandrasekhar, who supports the BJP, said George and the BDA came out with a "half-baked lie” following a public outcry over the project and that "they are saying what they want to say”. The flyover project has been announced in the name of improving connectivity to the airport, not the city. "This shows there is no thinking.
The government wants to revive the steel industry. If that is the case, it should construct all buildings of steel,” he said.
The MP stressed that such large projects cannot be implemented with limited public consultation. "There is a need for multi-week and multi-month public consultations and discussions with groups and resident welfare associations and road users.
Bengalureans should be aware of what is happening in their city. The Supreme Court has upheld this rule, which the BDA is violating,” he stated.
Project is transparent, says CM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has brushed aside allegations that the steel flyover project was "shrouded in mystery” as the government hurried through it "to get funds for the 2018 Assembly elections”. "Everything is transparent. All details about the project have been hosted on the BDA website,” he told reporters on Thursday but did not take anymore questions on the issue.
The BDA’s website has posted an 11-page backgrounder on the project, including 11 frequently asked questions.
Will consider public opinion: Law minister
Law Minister T B Jayachandra has said that the government would look into objections raised by the public on the steel flyover project, reports DHNS from Bengaluru.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said though the Cabinet had approved the project, public opinion would be considered before work started. When his attention was drawn to the large number of trees to be axed for the project, Jayachandra said, "It is inevitable to cut trees if the flyover has to be built.”