Jaipal vows to boost city infrastructure

Jaipal vows to boost city infrastructure
The Times of India

Bangalore: The Bangalore Metro Rail has the central government’s support, said Union urban development minister S Jaipal Reddy, here on Saturday.

In Bangalore for a two-day visit, he told STOI: “The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs will clear the Bangalore Metro in a few weeks.’’

Reddy said the group of ministers (GoM) has met twice over Metro Rail proposals from across the country and has sent recommendations to the Union cabinet.

“The clearance on macropolicies like gauge and safety will be done in a few weeks,’’ he said, but refused to comment on the recent change in the Bangalore Metro Railway Corporation Ltd, where its managing director K N Shrivastava was transferred.

Describing Bangalore as a city with an international image, Reddy said its IT industry was its biggest scoring point. Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM), it is the sixth-most important city in the country. “Bangalore occupies a place of pride on the NURM. Urban development is a state prerogative, but NURM goes a step further to improve infrastructure and motivate the state and local bodies.’’

Asked about infrastructure problems in the city, Reddy said, “It’s like a pincer movement... population growth leads to infrastructure problems. It is a problem being faced by all cities, and it is true of Bangalore too. The difference is only of the degree and perception.’’

He, however, sounded positive of Bangalore’s development plans. “We promise to offer cooperation to proposals for improving the city.’’