Start work, says HDK

Start work, says HDK
Deccan Herald

Chief Minister H D Kumaaraswamy has directed officials to begin work on the Metro Rail project in Bangalore immediately. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he said that he had held discussions with officials working on the project and directed them to start work forthwith.

He also said that he had asked them to interact with the three-member Group of Ministers formed by the Centre in this regard and ensure that the clearances come through at the earliest. “There is no confusion about the Metro,” Mr Kumaaraswamy said, adding that the Centre and the State would contribute Rs 1,600 crore each towards the project.

However, it will take awhile before the construction work begins. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) will have to wait for the final nod from the Centre before commencing work.

Once the cabinet clearance is given, BMRC will announce the 12 agencies selected out of 25 prequalification bids. Two to four agencies will be shortlisted out of the 12, following financial bids. The entire procedure will take 45 days and the construction work will only begin in June.

Eight survey teams will get down to work on March 10 for joint measurement and physical verification of 621 properties earmarked for land acquisition.

In New Delhi, Minister of State for Planning M V Rajashekharan met Sharad Pawar, who is heading the Group of Ministers, to resolve the pending gauge issue and expediate clearance for the project. Sources revealed that Sharad Pawar has invited among others finance minister and railways minister. The meeting scheduled for March 9.