Karnataka High Court Says Govt Cannot Go Ahead With Steel Bridge Without Environmental Clearance

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ruled that the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) cannot go ahead with the Steel Bridge project without seeking environmental clearance from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.

The project that was shelved by the previous Congress government was set to get a new lease of life when Bengaluru Development minister and Karnataka Deputy chief minister G Parmeshswara said that the government was mulling to review the project once again.

Parmeshwara's January 2 statement took Bengalureans by surprise as the project had faced the ire of the public when it was introduced back in 2016. Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF), an NGO and petitioner in the case, had approached the Karnataka High Court, On March 3, 2016, it had ordered an injunction restraining BDA from constructing the steel bridge.

After the court order, Parmeshwara took to twitter and said that the due procedure would be followed to start the construction of the bridge.

Many activist and citizens held protest dharnas and human chains opposing the government decision of building this 6.7 km long steel flyover from Chalukya Circle to Esteem Mall. It was proposed to ease the rush of traffic towards the airport. The project would also cost over 800 trees to be cut. Following backlash, the then Siddaramaiah-led government cancelled the project on March 2, 2017.

Welcoming the court’s direction, Suresh NR, director of Namma Bengaluru foundation said that he was unable to comprehend the reason and motive behind the government’s move to re-consider the project. "BDA is yet to approach SEIAA-K for the environmental clearance. As per NGT order, the government of Karnataka can’t proceed with the project without the clearance. We hope the government will drop the project and work on sustainable alternative,” he said.