NGT extends stay on Bengaluru steel flyover project, but allows soil sampling

The tribunal has now extended the stay on construction till January 18, 2017.
NGT extends stay on Bengaluru steel flyover project, but allows soil sampling
NGT extends stay on Bengaluru steel flyover project, but allows soil sampling
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The Karnataka government's attempt to build the controversial Rs. 2000 crore steel flyover in Bengaluru continues to face legal challenges. Responding to a plea by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the National Green Tribunal extended the stay on its construction on Tuesday.

BDA had sought to vacate the stay order that was earlier issued in October, which was further extended a month later. 

However, the tribunal has now extended the stay on construction till January 18, 2017. Although, the tribunal also allowed BDA to carry out soil sampling and surveys on the proposed land. 

According to the BDA and Development Minister KJ George, the flyover between Basaveshwara circle and Hebbal would tremendously ease the traffic congestion in the route. 

However, with the government keeping information about the project under wraps and failing to get environmental clearance for the project, the project came under severe flak from citizens. The citizens also opposed to the felling of nearly 812 trees as part of the construction. 

Various citizen groups including Citizen Action Forum and Namma Bengaluru Foundation moved the court against the project. 

Member of Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB), a citizen forum, said that the extension of the stay was a reaffirmation to the people's stand. 

"The CfB once again humbly entreat the BDA and the GoK to cancel the steel flyover tender considering the overwhelming public opposition to the project.  We also request that the government focus their energies on mass public transport like the local trains respecting the overwhelming public demand for such a service. This would be the best New Year's gift to the citizens of Bengaluru," Srinivas Alavalli, a member, said in a press statement. 

Sunita Iyer from Namma Bengaluru Foundation said:

"The foundation welcomes the extension on the stay. The  clarification by the Tribunal that no construction activity should take place is a great relief to the citizens of Bengaluru." 

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