CM and PM Cross Swords At Metro Route Inaugural Function in Bengaluru
Till now, 96.10-km on metro train works has been completed in Bengaluru for which the State Government has spent Rs 25, 387 crore while the Union Government’s contribution has been Rs 7,468.86 crore only
BENGALURU: In response to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to turn his attention to Karnataka’s development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bengaluru on Sunday wanted various the State government to toe the line of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre over its steps to bring in new reforms in the country for a decade.
Later, addressing the gathering after dedication of 19.15 metro route in Bengaluru city on Sunday, Modi said new laws have been introduced in the country aimed at decriminalization and the State Government should also focus on bringing new reforms in dealing with crimes. The Prime Minister stated Mission Karmayogi has been launched and the State Government can adopt it to train its employees to help improve their efficiency.
Modi said “Whether it is a State Government or a Union Government, we all serve the people. In serving people, we have to work in tandem” and asked the State Government to “push in new reforms.”
“I hope the united efforts will put Karnataka on the development path,” the Prime Minister said and stated “By working in tandem, the concept of Vikasit Bharat will strengthen.”
Earlier to the speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appealed to Narendra Modi to turn his attention to Karnataka and wanted the Prime Minister to lay stress on Karnataka the same way as that of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Over metro works of Bengaluru Siddaramaiah said Bengaluru metro started in 2005 when Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister and works are being taken-up with the assistance of Union and State Governments. As per the agreement, the Union Government shares 50 percent of the cost and the State Government shares the remaining half of the cost.
“I would like to inform you that the State Government spends more on the metro than the Union Government. The Union Government provides technical and finance assistance,” said the Chief Minister.
Till now, 96.10-km on metro train works has been completed in Bengaluru for which the State Government has spent Rs 25, 387 crore while the Union Government’s contribution has been
Rs 7,468.86 crore only. The Union Government provides loans and there is equity as well and the State Government has to repay loan amount along with interest amount, said Siddaramaiah.
So far, Chief Minister said, the Karnataka government has repaid Rs 3,987 crore to the Union Government. The Yellow Line inaugurated today is 19.15-km and constructed at a cost of Rs 7,160 crore and the route will help about 3.5 lakh commuters to travel via metro trains in addition to about 9 lakh commuters travelling by metro trains at present in various routes.
Bengaluru city is growing rapidly and traffic congestion is rampant. Metro trains were introduced to reduce road traffic pressure and it has been envisaged that by 2030, plans are to build 220-km metro routes. When the 220-km metro route is complete, Siddaramaiah said, about 30 lakh commuters will travel in metro trains in Bengaluru city.
