Bangalore deserves world-class infrastructure: PM

Bangalore deserves world-class infrastructure: PM:
Indo Asian News Service

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared here Friday Bangalore deserved world class infrastructure in view of its global reputation as the IT capital of India.

Singh told reporters at an impromptu meeting here after reviewing the status of various infrastructure projects, including the upcoming international airport project, that the central government would extend all support to the state in improving the city's infrastructure.

"Be it airport or roads, we will join the Karnataka government in improving the city infrastructure, as Bangalore deserves world class facilities for being the IT capital of India," Singh said.

Assuring all-out assistance to the local government in its efforts to create a proper environment for the socio-economic development of the state, Singh said the administration should not only focus on urban, but also rural areas to improve the infrastructure, be it drinking water, watershed management, power, hospitals, roads, and schools.

Earlier, arriving in the city on a two-day visit to Karnataka for the first time after becoming Prime Minister, Singh drove straight to Vidhan Soudha, the state secretariat, for a first-hand account of the infrastructure projects in the state, especially Bangalore.

Top state officials made a Powerpoint presentation on the new Bangalore international airport, coming up at Devanahalli, 35km from here, and other projects such as the proposed metro rail network, ring roads and new civic amenities.

Besides state chief minister N. Dharam Singh and his cabinet colleagues, prominent political leaders were present at the two-hour-long meeting.

Former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Deve Gowda called on Singh at Raj Bhavan along with the party's state leaders, including deputy chief minister S Siddaramaiah.

This is the first time in over two decades a prime minister has undertaken a review of the state's development agenda.

Nearly 25 years ago, then prime minister Indira Gandhi undertook a review when the Congress ruled under former chief minister R. Gundu Rao.

The prime minister will visit Mysore Saturday to inaugurate the Infosys campus, housing the world's largest corporate leadership institute.