Metro will take off soon: Dharam Singh

Metro will take off soon: Dharam Singh

The Hindu

Government issues order for acquisition of land for project

# Rs. 75 crore allocated for land acquisition
# Cost of the project is rapidly increasing
# Government prepares traffic improvement project for Bangalore

BANGALORE: Dispelling fears that the proposed Bangalore Metro project might not be a reality, Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh has said the project "will take off."

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Mr. Singh said the Government has issued an order for acquisition of 27 acres of land for the Bangalore Metro Rail project, while adding that Rs. 75 crore had been allocated for land acquisition. He said the Group of Ministers at the Central level would, within a month, consider the project for approval.

Finance and Industries Minister P.G.R. Sindhia, who had earlier expressed reservations over the project, said that the metro would see light only if the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs decides its outcome at the earliest.

Mr. Sindhia told reporters here on Saturday that his department has issued a preliminary notification calling for objections with regard to the acquisition of land for the Rs. 6,300-crore project.

Mr. Sindhia said the Metro is a central subject and would need the Cabinet committee's approval.

The State Government is making efforts to debate on the most suitable model of the metro for Bangalore. He noted the cost of the project is rapidly increasing and discussions are on about meeting such an escalation. He preferred not to comment on Tamil Nadu Government going for Mono Rail for Chennai.

Speaking on infrastructure in the City, the Chief Minister said the government is committed to the development of the infrastructure in the city.

Mr. Singh said he will look into complaints of information technology firms and sort out the problems in consultation with them.

He said the Government had prepared a Bangalore traffic improvement project for Rs. 350 crores, and this will be implemented over a period of five years.

A provision of Rs. 44 crores has been made for 2006-07 and the Planning Commission has been requested to support the project by providing additional assistance, he said.

Mr. Singh said the Government has paid a lot of attention to improving the infrastructure in the city during the last 19 months.