As protests led by citizen groups against the construction of steel flyover in Bengaluru is mounting pressure on the state government, a counter protest is being spearheaded in support of the flyover.

Around 500 residents of North Bengaluru, including areas such as Sahakarnagar, Yelahanka, Judicial Layout, Amruthanagar, Dr Shivaram Karanth Nagar and Basava Balaga came out in support of the construction on Saturday. They gathered at Esteem Mall junction in Hebbal, with placards stating ‘Flyover Beku.’

Though the counter-campaign comes only days after Bangalore Development Minister KJ George saying that the protests against the steel flyover were politically motivated, the residents who took part in the protest on Saturday said that there were no political motives for staging the demonstration.

They argued that the flyover, once completed, would ease the traffic congestion and thereby reduce pollution levels. The residents asserted that they were the people who were directly affected as they bear the brunt of traffic on Ballari road on a daily basis.

HM Venkatesh, a resident of Judicial Layout told The New Indian Express,

“For us to travel from Ballari Road to Mekhri Circle takes 1 hour 45 minutes during peak hours. Besides, ambulances travelling with patients have a tough time on this route. Again, most of us living in Judicial Layout have to go to the High Court. We sometimes miss on our attendance due to the traffic.”

Admitting that the steel flyover would only be a temporary solution, members of Yelahanka United Environment Association (YUVA) told TheTimes of India that long-term solutions such as metro connectivity to north Bengaluru must be hastened.

According to another report in TOI, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will fund the Rs 1800 crore project by selling off land in the Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Layout. In order to fund the 100% state government initiative, the government is reportedly in the process of finalizing the first 5000 recipients.