Change of govt likely to further delay Bangalore Metrorail

Change of govt likely to further delay Bangalore Metrorail
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Political uncertainty and the imminent change of government is likely to hit the much-delayed Bangalore Metrorail. The project, now in its final stages having crossed several bureaucratic and political hurdles, could well be further delayed if not derailed depending on the views of the new political dispensation.

Sources in the Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRL) said change in Government will certainly impact the project. “There could be further delays as the new Government may even think of seeking private investment for the project . It may even think of changing the alignment,” sources said.

Going by present political developments, it is highly likely that JD (S) state working president H D Kumaraswamy will assume the mantle of Chief Minister. Were that to happen, the fate of the Metrorail would hang fire as it is known that JD (S) chief Deve Gowda has opposed the project and his son may wish to toe his line.

The BMRTL, the nodal agency for the implementation of the project, has made all preparations and is now waiting for the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to start work. Meanwhile, a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is also looking into various aspects of the project, including the gauge controversy.

The GoM is likely to submit its report shortly, following which the CCEA will give the green signal to the BMRTL to go ahead with the project.

However, a change of the Government at this crucial stage is likely to delay the project as the new government may want to reconsider several issues.