Protest against flyover at Ramakrishna Circle

Protest against flyover at Ramakrishna Circle
Deccan Herald

Over a hundred residents of Basavangudi and devotees of Ramakrishna Mutt held a protest on Bull Temple Road on Wednesday morning to protest against the proposed construction of a flyover at Ramakrishna Circle.

Over a hundred residents of Basavangudi and devotees of Ramakrishna Mutt held a protest on Bull Temple Road on Wednesday morning to protest against the proposed construction of a flyover at Ramakrishna Circle.

The residents appealed to Basavanagudi MLA K Chandrashekhar to halt the project and instead focus on repairing the roads and installing a traffic signal system to deal with congestion in the area.

The proposed flyover-cum-underpass will include a one-way underpass from Chamrajpet on Bull Temple Road towards Gandhi Bazaar, and a one-way flyover from Hanumanthanagar via Hayavadana Rao Road and the Bull Temple towards Vani Vilas Road.

According to residents, there are no peak hour traffic congestion on these roads. Objecting to the inconveniences and long detours caused during construction, members of Basavangudi Nagarikara Vedike added that traffic experts had, earlier in 2003, expressed reservations on the need for a flyover at this location. They were also opposed to the cutting of trees that this construction would require.

Devotees of Ramakrishna Mutt feared that visitors to the Mutt will be adversely affected while entering and exiting through the one-way service lane that will be provided at the main entrance.

Residents also complained that there was no public debate before the decision of the flyover construction was taken.

They sought a public debate on all aspects of this project including the details of the traffic study that formed the basis of this project, as well as the plan specifics.

Chandrashekhar promised them that a new project plan would be drawn up, which would be approved only after all the affected residents consent to it.