Metro will chug on: Dharam

Metro will chug on: Dharam
Deccan Herald

Deve Gowda is not against Metro per se and he only has some reservations, the chief minister said.

Asserting that the State government will not go back on the Bangalore Metro project, Chief Minister Dharam Singh said the work on it was likely to start on the Rajyotsava Day of November 1, this year.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Singh, facing a barrage of questions following a letter written by president of his coalition partner Janata Dal (Secular) H D Deve Gowda to the prime minister against the project, said the Metro was in final stages of clearance from the Centre.

“The Public Investment Board (PIB) has cleared it and a Cabinet note is being prepared so that it is taken up at the Cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA). We expect the CCEA to take it up in about two weeks,” he added, saying that all formalities would be completed by September-end.

Noting that the survey for the Metro was done as early as in 1983, he said it was a cabinet decision to take up the project work. “We are not going to overturn it.” He said if Karnataka was not interested, several other cities would grab the project and Central assistance.

As regards Mr Gowda’s outbursts, he said he would hold discussions with the former prime minister. “He is not opposed to Metro. He has only expressed some reservations.” He did not reply to a question on whether he was confident of convincing Mr Gowda.

Ride on Metro

The chief minister, his ministerial colleagues and members of an all-party delegation who will be here on Thursday to call on the prime minister to seek flood relief, will take a ride on the Delhi Metro to get a first-hand experience of the working of Delhi’s new marvel. Delhi Metro Chairman E Sreedharan is likely to accompany them.