No one can derail Metro: Kharge

No one can derail Metro: Kharge
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Transport Minister and KPCC chief Mallikarjuna Kharge on Monday strongly defended the proposed Bangalore Metrorail project and said the much-needed project will not be derailed under any circumstances.

Taking a dig at the coalition partner JD(S), Kharge said no political party should oppose the project that is aimed at decongesting the traffic and providing an efficient mass transport system. ‘‘Political parties should realise the need for such a project,’’ he said.

He was speaking at former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary.

Kharge even suggested to the Chief Minister Dharam Singh, who was also present on the occasion, not to listen to those opposing the project and go ahead with its implementation.

Former Prime Minister and JD (S) chief H D Deve Gowda has been opposing the project on the grounds that it will lead to demolition of houses and commercial establishments in the City. The former PM had also dashed off several letters to the PM urging to reconsider the project.

However, the State Government and the Centre have shown keen interest to go ahead with the partially-underground and elevated system. Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who was in the City recently had stated that the project will be implemented.

Bangalore Metrorail has passed all the bureaucratic hurdles and was also cleared by the Project Investment Board (PIB) recently. The Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL), the nodal agency for implementing the project is now waiting for the clearance from Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to start the work.

‘‘The Union cabinet is expected to clear it in November and show green signal to the project,’’ Kharge added.