Dharam Singh promises better infrastructure

Dharam Singh promises better infrastructure

The Hindu

Says allegations of IT industry in Bangalore are baseless

BANGALORE: Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh on Saturday asserted that his Government is taking steps to provide excellent infrastructure particularly in the road and transport sectors in Bangalore, and brushed aside all allegations in this regard as "unnecessary politicking" indulged in by the information technology (IT) industry.

Speaking to presspersons after releasing a Kannada book on the performance of the United Progressive Alliance Government brought out by the Directorate of Advertisement and Visual Publicity here on Saturday, the Chief Minister said there is no laxity on part of his Government in taking steps for providing infrastructure in the city.

The Chief Minister alleged that the heads of a few IT companies are unnecessarily raking up the issue of lack of infrastructure. Reminding them of the speed with which the international airport is coming up at Devanahalli, Mr. Dharam Singh said that the metro rail project will also begin soon and that the Union Government is keen on it. Mr. Singh said that a Rs. 6,505-crore project has been prepared for starting metro rail services in the city.

A project has been envisaged to develop 38 roads in the city at a cost of Rs. 516 crores, and a report has been sent to the Planning Commission for approval, he said. A Cabinet sub-committee has been set up to pursue the project, Mr. Singh said. He added that the State Government has requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to shift the metro rail from the State.

The Chief Minister said the State Government has submitted a proposal to the Union Government to sanction 15 more flyovers on narrow roads in Bangalore.

Taking a dig at the IT industry for making "baseless allegations" against the Government, Mr. Singh said they should speak to him and other leaders in the Government to tackle the issue. Assuring the IT industries that work on developing infrastructure will be completed as early as possible, he said there has been some delay owing to rain.