JOIN USNagaraj Rao, an IT professional, who lives close to Kumara Krupa Road, is a family man and prefers to spend all Sundays at home.
The last time he came out to protest was in 2011 when Anna Hazare launched a movement against corruption. This time, Rao and his wife Rashmi hit the streets for a different cause and to collectively say: ‘Steel flyover Beda.’ This family, which was part of the human chain that comprised different sections of society, made a strong pitch of its continuos opposition to the steel flyover project.
“This high-cost project is illogical and will only increase the density of vehicles instead of popularising public transportation. How can the government think of going ahead with the project with least importance to Nature? Can the saplings survive in this concrete jungle? Is this what we are giving to our next generation,” Rao asks.
An 89-year-old Colonel Chetty, who was part of the protest at the Chalukya Circle said: “The decision to construct steel flyover at the cost of trees was ridiculous. The government should instead make efforts to improve greenery,” he opined. Ajay Bhaskar, a photographer from Koramangala made sure that he was part of the human chain after the usual cycling on Sunday. “There is no good public transport and steel flyover is only a poorly conceived project. All that is needed now is a few interventions to improve the road condition from the Chalukya circle to Hebbal,” he stated.
Besides the participation of a large number of women, senior citizens and youngsters, even daily wagers were at the spot in protest against cutting of trees. “We have come here sacrificing our day-off. The government should take note of our pleas to protect the environment,” said Jayalakshmi, a garment factory worker from RT Nagar. A teacher by profession, Sharada V of Sahakaranagar felt it was ‘our moral responsibility’ to be at the protest. “This project will not help in a big way to reduce the travel time. The government should withdraw it, keeping in mind the larger interest of Bengaluru citizens and preserve the grown-up trees,” she opined.
Among others, Mahesh B was part of the protest at the Mehkri circle along with his wife, brother and aged mother. “Steel flyover beda. Improve the roads,” he said displaying a placard with a similar message.