Steel Bridge: Tolls only after corridor completion, says KJ George
KJ George dared the opposition to build the project at a lesser expense.
He also dismissed allegations of kickbacks, demanding proof.
He did confirm that a toll would eventually be levied on users.
FollowBengaluru Development Minister KJ George has clarified that the government will not collect a toll from users of the steel flyover until the completion of the proposed 120 km elevated corridor.
He has also said that the construction work of steel flyover will start within a month.
“We, in our budget, have planned the construction of a 120 km elevated corridor in the city. Both the Houses have consented for this proposal. We’ll collect tolls after the completion of all corridors (East, West, North and South corridors)”, the minister said.
He also reiterated that the government would not begin the construction of the flyover in case the High Court issued a stay order. He clarified that this project was transparent and a cabinet decision approved by the Governor.
“Tender process is also completed, and we’ve begun the process of the construction. We are not going to stop this project just because the opposition parties are opposing this,”
Criticising the opposition, he said that withholding this project is the one-point program of the BJP. He added that he was ready to transfer this project to the central government if they were ready to implement it at a lesser expense.
“Even the MPs and MLAs of North Bengaluru are supporting the project. I welcome the opposition parties to come forward with documentary proofs for their allegations of fraud and kickback,” he said.
Responding to the allegations of BJP that he has real estate properties around Columbia Asia hospital, he said he would give away the properties if it were proven that he had any such properties.
The minister said that he was going to release the final plan of the proposed construction within 2-3 days.
