Times News Network
Bangalore, Mar 21: Two heavyweight projects for Bangalore — Metro Rail and the international airport — which have been stuck in the pipeline for some time, did get the some budget attention, though just in passing.
Finance minister B S Yediyurappa said the Karnataka government has decided to go ahead with the Bangalore Metro Rail project, but threw the ball into the Centre's court, stating that the project is now awaiting clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Last year, the Public Investment Board (PIB) had granted its clearance.
However, the budget has not spoken about any fresh allocation for Metro. The low-profile statement on the key infrastructure project for Bangalore perhaps reflects the mood in the government, especially against the backdrop of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited managing director K N Shrivastava being shunted out last week.
Besides, the project has got into a knot with the chief minister's office instructing the BMRC not to acquire 150 properties on Kuvempu Road until the CM had completed inspection.
This has raised doubts on whether the government wants to change the alignment of the project,which has been arrived at after due consideration and detailed surveys.
Two heavyweight projects for Bangalore — Metro Rail and the international airport — which have been stuck in the pipeline for some time, did get the some budget attention, though just in passing.
Finance minister B S Yediyurappa said the Karnataka government has decided to go ahead with the Bangalore Metro Rail project, but threw the ball into the Centre's court, stating that the project is now awaiting clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Last year, the Public Investment Board (PIB) had granted its clearance.
However, the budget has not spoken about any fresh allocation for Metro. The low-profile statement on the key infrastructure project for Bangalore perhaps reflects the mood in the government, especially against the backdrop of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited managing director K N Shrivastava being shunted out last week.
Besides, the project has got into a knot with the chief minister's office instructing the BMRC not to acquire 150 properties on Kuvempu Road until the CM had completed inspection.
This has raised doubts on whether the government wants to change the alignment of the project,which has been arrived at after due consideration and detailed surveys.