Karnataka government bends, drops Steel flyover project

The Rs 1800 crore project aimed at easing traffic movement on the busy road from Chalukya Circle to Hebbal, had attracted criticism from Opposition BJP which had even accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah family of receiving Rs 65 crore kickback from a contractor. The project was opposed by Environmentalists and from various NGOs as more than 800 trees would have to felled. 

The National Green Tribunal had also, acting on a PIL, issued stay for the project seeking details from the Karnataka Government about felling of large number of trees for the project.  Minister for Bengaluru Development K J George said bowing to public demand the project has been dropped. 

BJP state president and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had charged that a contractor has paid Rs 65 crore kick back and the money has gone to family members of Siddaramaiah and it was revealed in a diary recovered by the IT and Enforcement Directorate during recent raid conducted on house and properties of Legislative Council Member K Govindraj, who is also Political Advisor to the Chief Minister.