Manjunatha Nagar flyover now in the middle of a political fight as Cong fields contractor

BENGALURU: The Congress’ choice of candidate for the Padmanabha Nagar constituency seems to have given ammunition to the BJP in Rajajinagar. In its second list announced on Thursday, the Congress has announced Raghunath Naidu as its candidate.

Rajajinagar MLA and former S Suresh Kumar has written to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) pointing out that the Manjunath Nagar flyover was built to ease traffic and was opened only recently after the work was started five years ago. However, the flyover has already developed cracks, making it unsafe for motorists, he said and suggested that the contractor Raghunath Naidu should be questioned about the substandard quality of work.

“Raghunath Naidu is associated with MVR Construction Company which executed the flyover work. There are complaints of cracks on the flyover and the engineers and the contractor should be made answerable. The IISc and another institute have studied the flyover and submitted a report. I have told BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath to get experts to examine the structure and clarify about its structural stability”, said Suresh Kumar.

Rajajinagar MLA Suresh Kumar (left) and Congress candidate for Padmanabha Nagar, Raghunath Naidu.

Raghunath Naidu clarified that he does not have a contractor’s licence and had only supplied material to the contractor. If there are any defects on the flover, the contractor should set it right, he said. Regarding the allegations of 40 per cent commission against the BJP government in connection with the flyover project, Naidu said Rajajinagar MLA Suresh Kumar has never sought any commission. He also added that firms which bag contracts for flyover projects do no pay any commission.

“The flyover was fully opened to traffic in 2018. The foundation stone was laid in 2016 when the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah was in power. Later, during the coalition government, then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy inaugurated it. But how did the authorities certify this substandard work? The slabs are coming off, there are cracks and rain water leaks on this flyover. None of the elected representatives have inspected the flyover”, said Kiran Kumar, a social activist.

Kiran Kumar, a social activist.

“As taxpayers, can’t we expect quality infrastructure? If there is some mishap tomorrow, who will be held responsible? The BBMP should stop traffic on this flyover and take up repair work, or else we will block traffic on the flyover ourselves. This will bring bad name to the city”, Kiran Kumar added.