With Karnataka government putting off new projects, Bengaluru hopes Sankey Road flyover is scrapped

With the State government ordering putting off the commencement of new projects approved by the previous regime, citizens opposing the proposed construction of Sankey Tank Bund road widening and flyover are hoping that the project will be scrapped. 

With the Karnataka government putting projects approved by the previous regime on hold, citizens opposing the proposed widening of Sankey Tank Bund Road and flyover are hoping that the project will be cancelled. 

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) withdrew its letter seeking permission, from its forest wing, to axe trees for the proposed flyover following stiff opposition by citizens. The BBMP later sent the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA), which is led by the Chief Minister. The authority has 21 members. 

The previous Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government had approved construction of 11 flyovers, which drew severe criticism. The flyovers were proposed at Minerva Circle, Ittamadu Junction, Sarakki Signal, on Nayandahalli-Tumakuru Road, Sankey Road, Hosur Road near Forum Mall and St John’s Hospital, Yelahanka, and Hoodi.

A BBMP official said all these projects will be now be reviewed.

As per the DPR, a four-lane bi-directional 560-metre flyover from 6th Cross Road to Bashyam Circle was to be built for widening Sankey Tank Bund Road towards Malleswaram 18th Cross at an estimated cost of ₹60 crore.

To mark their opposition to the project, about 22,000 citizens signed an online petition while many children wrote to Mr. Bommai. The Sadashivanagar police booked about 70 citizens for protesting against the project in February 2023. 

Preeti Sunderajan, an activist who has been opposing the project, said the Congress had supported their view when they protested. The Congress manifesto has promised to implement people-centric road infrastructure projects, and not vehicle-centric.