Bengaluru, 30 Oct 2024 – Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar told reporters on Monday that no discord exists between him and former chief minister Siddaramaiah. He rejected claims of a split, saying, “There is neither a big rift nor a small rift between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and me.”
Addressing a media gathering near Mekhri Circle and Town Hall, Shivakumar added that some quarters are trying to create a perception of friction. “In politics, there must be detractors and opponents. Only when they are present can people like us engage in clean politics,” he explained, reaffirming Siddaramaiah as the party leader.
The chief minister said he had met Siddaramaiah to discuss several issues ahead of the upcoming local‑body elections and to exchange festival greetings. He stressed that the party’s internal harmony remains intact.
Turning to infrastructure, Shivakumar outlined the proposed elevated corridor and tunnel road project aimed at easing traffic around Mekhri Circle. He noted that opposition parties have objected to both options, but argued that alternative routes are essential to tackle congestion. “We either have to build roads elevated above or construct tunnels underground,” he said.
To create space for the new alignment, Shivakumar has appealed to the Defence Minister for a parcel of defence land at the corner of Mekhri Circle. If released, the land would allow a rotary‑circle‑within‑a‑circle design, directing left‑bound traffic left and right‑bound traffic right, while also accommodating an upper‑level road and selective tunnel sections.
He assured motorists that traffic flow will not be halted during construction. Police and the BDA chairman have already inspected the plan, and the chief minister himself visited the site to identify bottlenecks. Only large and cargo vehicles will face temporary restrictions at specific times; all other traffic will continue uninterrupted.
The ancillary road network, slated to cost roughly ₹9 crore, is being prepared by the BDA to minimise inconvenience. Shivakumar dismissed critics who oppose every initiative, asking whether the BJP or JD(S) ever undertook comparable projects while in power.
Image: Wikipedia — D.K. Shivakumar
📰 Source: Mangalorean News