Bengaluru: Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar extended new year greetings to former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna at the latter’s residence here yesterday.

The two leaders after exchanging greetings, are said to have discussed several issues including Mekedatu drinking water project across river Cauvery.

Later speaking to press-persons, Shivakumar said that the coalition Government would not succumb to the blackmail tactics of the opposition BJP, in an apparent reference to the BJP’s opposition to the Steel Bridge at Bengaluru, with the Government making a fresh bid to implement the project, which was dropped by the previous Siddaramaiah Government following public outcry. Defending Dr. G. Parameshwara’s recent statement that the Government will take a new look on the ditched Steel Bridge Project, Shivakumar said that the BJP can point out loopholes, if any, in the project.

Maintaining that the proposed Steel Bridge is a vital connection between the Southern and Northern parts of Bengaluru, he said that the Government will take up the Steel Bridge project, is a bid to ease huge traffic congestion on roads in the State capital.

Strongly defending the Steel Bridge that links Chalukya Circle with Esteem Mall on Airport Road, the Minister said that the bridge was certainly be a boon to motorists travelling to KIAL Airport.

Stressing on the need for implementing the Mekedatu Project, he said that the Project will hugely benefit both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Nadu Government must understand this.

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