Metro awaits GoM signal

Metro awaits GoM signal
Deccan herald

Chief Minister N Dharam Singh on Saturday said the metro rail project will take off once the Empowered Group of Ministers, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.....

Chief Minister N Dharam Singh on Saturday said the metro rail project will take off once the Empowered Group of Ministers, headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, constituted to resolve differences between Railways and Urban Development ministries over the project submits its recommendations.

However, in a volte-face, Industries and Finance Minister P G R Sindhia, who has all along been maintaining that he had the right to review the pros and cons of the Bangalore Metro rail project and its financial implications, said the chief minister would have the final say on the project.

“The GoM is likely to submit its report within a month. Any complications would be sorted out”, Mr Singh told reporters in Bangalore. He said the government has sanctioned Rs 75 crore for acquisition of 27 acres of private land through the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board for the project. Meanwhile, asked about the fate of the project, Mr Sindhia said: “You ask the chief minister”. He (CM) is in-charge of the Urban Development portfolio, Mr Sindhia told reporters after a 16-member US business delegation led by Senator Max Bacus called on him on Saturday. He said the Cabinet will take a decision. Mr Sindhia said the Centre was yet to take a final decision. “We are keen that the Metro rail project should be on the lines of the Delhi Metro. Issues such as the gauge system are yet to be decided”.

Asked if the government would examine cheaper alternatives suggested by JD (S) supremo H D Deve Gowda such as the monorail system, he said, “I don’t want to get into a controversy”, he said.