Bengaluru: Taking shelter under the Centre’s demonetisation move, Bengaluru Development Minister, K.J. George on Wednesday contended there was no question now of any black money being involved in the construction of the controversial steel bridge as often alleged and appealed for withdrawal of the petition filed against its construction before the National Green Tribunal.
Referring to the opposition parties’ often repeated charge that the proposed steel bridge from Chalukya Circle to Hebbal was a ruse to use black money, he said, “With the demonetisation, there is no question of black money being involved in this project and so petitioners should withdraw their plea before NGT to help the government go ahead with the project.”
Asserting that the government would continue its legal fight to complete the bridge, he said it would however abide by the order of the court. He said the law department will take a call on vacating the stay on its construction.
He said the government has decided to implement the suburban railway project in a phased manner and also launch a monorail from Whitefield to Byappanahalli, from Mandya to Jnanabharati and from Tumakuru to Yeshwantapur. But a report was awaited from railway officials on the Tumakuru- Yeshwantapura route.
On the demolition drive, he said those who had lost their houses would get BDA flats as compensation. “I’ve instructed the BDA Commissioner to submit the beneficiaries list,” he said.
He revealed that the government will soon bring in a new TDR system in all corporations, including the BBMP, which would be authorised to fix the TDR rates. The present TDR rate of 1.5%, could be increased to 2% based on the advice of the law department.
Referring to the frothing Bellanduru lake, he said the expert committee had submitted its report recommending setting up of an effluent treatment plant (ETP) for the apartments nearby.