Lakshmana Venkat Kuchi
Interestingly, ahead of the inauguration of Yellow Line Bengaluru metro connecting RV Road with Bommasandra via Electronic City there is a seeming “tussle” for credit taking over the facility that Bengalurians in this part of the city have been waiting for over five years.
Karnataka leaders on Tuesday reminded the people that the Namma Metro was a joint project of the central and state governments, with both having an equal share in it. But with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to launch the Yellow Line service on August 10, the Congress leaders are reminding people about state government’ contribution, lest the central government get all the credit in the people’s perception.
It has already been officially declared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Yellow Line Metro of Namma Metro on August 10 at a small function at IIM Bengaluru, following which he would take the metro ride along with Karnataka Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and local legislators.
The Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the minister in charge of Bengaluru, told media persons on Tuesday that “both state and the Centre hold shares in the metro project.” He was speaking to media persons after inspecting the Yellow line of Namma metro.
“This is our metro. The CM and I had requested the PM to inaugurate the Yellow line and he has given the time now. This is not a project of the Central government alone, the state too has 50% share in the project. We are all serving the public,” Shivakumar said in response to a query if the inauguration of the service was decided by the Centre or the state.
But, he said, “Serving people is important, and not credit” responding to questions.
However, the opposite seems to be exactly the truth. Political analyst BS Nagaraj summed up the tussle as “when it suits me, it is my baby. When it does not, it is the other’s fault. Similarly, when there was a hike in metro fares in Bengaluru a few months ago, the Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, put the blame entirely on the state government. In contrast, the decision was taken by BMRCL, which was created jointly by the two governments. At that time, they were passing the blame onto the other body. But now that there is credit to be taken, both will be claiming that it is their baby. Now both are very eager to do that.. but the truth is that both are equal partners in this project. The PM will inaugurate the Yellow line on August 10. The 19.15 km line with 16 stations was built at a cost of Rs 7,610 crore. We will submit an appeal to the PM on funds needed for the double decker project’s land acquisition,” Shivakumar said.
“The PM will inaugurate the Yellow line on August 10. The 19.15 km line with 16 stations was built at a cost of Rs 7,610 crore. We will submit an appeal to the PM on funds needed for the double decker project’s land acquisition,” Shivakumar said.
Let the MPs get us funds
Asked about extension of metro network and building more double decker metro lines, he said, “It would be nice if the MPs who are making a lot of noise get us some funds. The MPs don’t speak a word on the funds, but are engaged in nitpicking. We have decided to build double decker metro lines for all lines in the future,” the DCM said.
Safety first
“The Commissionerate of Railway Safety gave the clearance for the Yellow line on July 31. We can’t rush through things like safety,” he said in response to a criticism by Tejaswi Surya over metro project delays.
Trains every 25 min now
“Three train sets have arrived for the Yellow line and the fourth set will come in August. Three trains will operate now at an interval of 25 minutes. The frequency would be increased to 10 minutes once more train sets arrive. This is a crucial line to link the IT hubs to the city,” Shivakumar said.
Asked about growing passengers on metro, but very few train sets, the DCM said, “Train sets have not arrived due to certain reasons. They had imported train sets from China but there are some issues. Train sets have to come from many other domestic facilities. Frequency will be increased once more train sets arrive.”
“I would like to congratulate on behalf of the state government everyone including officials, contractors, labourers, who worked on the Yellow line,” he said.
