Govt goes ahead with BBMP revamp despite BJP opposition

The Karnataka government is moving forward with its ambitious infrastructure plans, including a tunnel road project and a proposal to restructure the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) through the Greater Bengaluru initiative.

- HT Correspondent

BENGALURU: Despite opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular), the government remains steadfast, arguing that these projects are necessary for the city's long-term development.

Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar defended the tunnel road plan, stating that alternatives like road widening will require an exorbitant 3 lakh crore for land acquisition alone. "Compensation has to be given at a 1:2 ratio in all cases. The plan considers all possibilities," he said on Wednesday, countering the BJP's protests across 28 constituencies.

He also pointed to the importance of integrating double-decker flyovers with Metro lines, saying that a lack of such infrastructure in the past has led to the current traffic congestion. "If this had been done earlier, we wouldn't be facing these issues. Moving forward, all new Metro routes will have double-decker flyovers, with BBMP funding 50% of the cost," he added.