FATE UNKNOWN: Work on the Malleswaram grade separator has been stopped since a week. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Bangalore: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a "jan andolan" if the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) goes ahead with the Malleswaram grade separator project, Suresh Kumar, general secretary and spokesperson of the party, has said.

Mr. Kumar on Tuesday alleged that the grade separator would help only the consultants and contractors, and not the people. Asked why the BJP leaders in the Legislative Council did not oppose the plan for the grade separator when it was being passed, Mr. Kumar said: "These days, no discussions take place in the Council. Just because we did not oppose it then does not mean we cannot oppose the plan now."

He said there was no political angle to the protests taken up over the grade separator. There have been allegations that the controversy over the grade separator is owing to political infighting. It is believed that the grade separator has the support of the Congress, while the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) have been opposing it.

Mr. Kumar, repeating the suggestions already put forward by Malleswaram Swabhimana Initiative, said the proposal to build a road near Jakkarayanekere needed to be implemented. This would ensure that vehicles would not have to go through Sampige Road to reach Yeshwantpur Road, he said. He suggested that a pass over be built from Sampige Road 3rd cross to 7th Cross so that movement of vehicles could be easier.

Work on Malleswaram grade separator was started on July 30. Subsequently, Health Minister and district incharge R. Ashok ordered the work to be stopped owing to protests from residents. BMP Commissioner K. Jairaj is to submit a reassessment report of the project by July 10 to Mr. Ashok.

The plan is being opposed for several reasons. Those against the plan say that the road is only around 100-foot wide when the minimum width required according to Indian Road Congress is 120 feet. Traffic from Margosa Road, which includes BMTC and KSRTC buses, is to be diverted towards 4th Main through a narrow road on which Malleswaram Association is located. This traffic diversion is bound to be ineffective, those opposing the plan claim.

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