'Oppn blocking devpt; why didn't their govt take action?'

Raipur: The BJP, on the other hand, responded by saying that the opposition is obstructing development works during their regime and the old Congress govt was responsible for the increase in the skywalk's additional costs and delays, refuting the claim that the project incurred increased costs and additional funds by the BJP govt.

Addressing a press conference at BJP office on Saturday, Raipur West MLA and former PWD minister, Rajesh Munat said that the skywalk, aimed at easing pedestrian movement from Shastri Chowk to Jaistambh Chowk and Shastri Chowk to Jail Tiraha, was initiated during Raman Singh's chief ministership. A provision of funds was made in 2016-17 budget as a survey showed the need to prevent traffic disruptions and accidents, he said.

Munat informed that tenders were invited for a survey, and two agencies participated. Following this, three presentations were held in Raipur. Attendees included then Raipur mayor Dr Kiranmayi Nayak, Congress leaders Satyanarayan Sharma and Pramod Dubey, the municipal commissioner, the collector, and officials from traffic department and PWD, and all of them provided suggestions, he said. The tender was then finalised, and work commenced in 2017. He added that no Congress leader raised objections in the assembly.

The BJP MLA clarified that the skywalk project started before the Smart City scheme. The then BJP govt prioritised the project to ease traffic congestion. He said that after the Congress came to power in 2018, the then CM Baghel expressed opposition to the skywalk. However, no official order was issued. He said that the Congress govt conducted three inquiries, which concluded that the skywalk should be completed, given its necessity and the funds already spent. Munat criticised opposition for ignoring the inquiry reports. He asked why Congress did not take action if there was any corruption, as the files and officials were under its control.

Munat said that the current BJP govt decided to complete the project, allocating Rs 37 crore from the previously approved budget. He refuted claims by Congress leaders regarding increased costs, stating that no additional funds were provided.