Bengaluru Steel Flyover Controversy (Allegations of Corruption)

The Bengaluru Steel Flyover controversy emerged in 2016 when the then-Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, proposed a 6.7-kilometer steel flyover from Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal in Bengaluru, estimated to cost over ₹1,800 crore. Public outcry and opposition from environmentalists, urban planners, and activists quickly mounted, raising concerns about the project's environmental impact, necessity, and transparency. Allegations of inflated costs and a lack of proper public consultation became central to the controversy. Complainants approached the Karnataka Lokayukta, alleging corruption and irregularities in the project's tendering process. It was argued that the cost was unjustifiably high and that the project would cause significant environmental damage by requiring the felling of numerous trees. While the Lokayukta dismissed specific corruption complaints due to a lack of concrete evidence, the public movement against the flyover gained momentum. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) also issued a stay on the project's construction. Faced with widespread public opposition and judicial intervention, the state government eventually decided to scrap the controversial project. Although direct corruption charges against Siddaramaiah were not proven, the episode remains a significant public governance issue from his tenure.