Consensus puts Metro firmly back on track

Consensus puts Metro firmly back on track
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: With a political consensus emerging, it looks like the much-delayed Metro-rail project is back on track. It is now expected to move forward after the Centre gives a green signal.

‘‘Only the JD(S) was opposed to the project. Now that the CM has made it clear that he is not against the Metro, the much-needed political consensus will ensure smooth implementation of the project,’’ a source said.

While the Congress and the BJP have always been supporting the project, JD (S) president and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda had been opposing it.

JD(S) ministers in the Congress-JD (S) government headed by Dharam Singh had also toed Gowda’s line, resulting in a delay in the land acquisition process.

The CM, sources said, is expected to hold a meeting with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to discuss the progress of the project.

The BMRCL has got 102 acres from the Ministry of Defence and has purchased 28 acres from NPCL in Byappanhalli.

The State government has agreed to give 58 acres and the BMRCL is in the process of acquiring 27 acres of private land.

The BMRCL has made all preparations to start work as soon after it gets a nod from the Centre, which in turn is waiting for a report from the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. The GoM is expected to give its report on February 10.

Meanwhile, an expert committee constituted by the government is looking into the CMH Road Merchants Association’s demand to change the alignment from CMH Road to Old Madras Road.