After meeting CM, Shaw softens stand on government

After meeting CM, Shaw softens stand on government
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: It took just a few minutes for Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy to convince disgruntled Biocon Chairperson and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar Shaw to change her perception about the government towards improving Bangalore.

Shaw who had expressed displeasure at government's apathy to address dwindling infrastructure a few days ago met Kumarswamy and submitted a comprehensive road map for upgrading the City.

Emerging out of the 15 minute meeting, Shaw was looking pleased with the outcome and said: “It was a positive and useful meeting. The Chief Minister is keen to bring back the City on right track.”

Saying that Kumaraswamy had agreed to set up a City Development Council on the lines of the defunct Bangalore Agenda Task Force.

The council to be formed on Public-Private-Participation (PPP) basis will have representatives from key industry sectors and top officials, she said.

“He is serious about improving Infrastructure bottlenecks of the City and we are optimistic that there will be an improvement, both in long term and short term,” she said.

Shaw said that she had been convinced by the Chief Ministers' commitment to complete the Airport Flyover in next three months besides re-locating the Madiwala market.

She also said that there was a urgent need to improve and upgrade link roads connecting the Electronics City.

Asked whether there were any stumbling blocks in improving the City, she said that issues like failure to execute the work and releasing funds at right time need to be addressed on a priority basis.

On expressing displeasure against the government for not making an effort to improve the City, Shaw said that she would continue to do so, if the government did not address the “crumbling City infrastructure.

“We can let Bangalore to crumble. It is a show case to the world and we need to preserve and improve its status.”

Asked whether she had any plans to expand the facilities in Bangalore, she said that there were no immediate plans.

“We have plans to expand the company in the next couple of years. If things are improved here, then we will not look at other Cities. If not, we may need to take a business decision,” she said.