Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Bangalore needs complete makeover, says Mallya

Bangalore needs complete makeover, says Mallya

The Hindu Business Line

"I AM ashamed at the state of affairs," declared Mr Vijay Mallya, Chairman, UB Group, commenting on the city's `hopelessly inadequate state of infrastructure'. He was categorical that it was the Government's job to provide infrastructure, adding that Bangalore needed a complete makeover.

He told presspersons here after the company's annual general meeting, that on a recent visit to Hong Kong, he was shocked to see the city's pathetic state of affairs hogging the headlines in a leading daily there. "This is sad for the city and the State that I have touted as the knowledge capital of India."

On finding a solution for the ongoing battle between the Government and IT industry about the city's lack of infrastructure, he recommended that a task force with a very clear mandate be constituted with `deadlines and quality parameters all set, failing which they must be faced with action'.

He also felt that the Centre should chip in and allocate some resources for infrastructure development of the city.

The UB Group has asked for a reimbursement from the State Government for the failure of the city's elevated rail transport system (ELRTS) taking off.

Mr Mallya said the State had not come out with its share of equities and guarantees and the project was not abandoned `at out instance'.

He clarified that the UB Group, if offered the opportunity again, would not take up the ELRTS project as the cost and the route has changed and it was not `worth it'.

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