Metro Rail Service Extension in Bangalore, the Yellow Line, Taken Credit by Congress and Slated for PM's Inauguration tomorrow.
The upcoming inauguration of the Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line, scheduled for tomorrow by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been shrouded in political controversy. The Karnataka Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, has launched a counter to BJP claims regarding the project, stating that the state government has borne a significant portion of the costs.
According to official statements and reports, the Karnataka State Government's contribution to the Bengaluru Metro project has ranged from about 80% to over 87%, while the Central Government's share has been between 12% and 20%.
D.K. Shivakumar, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, stated that the state's contribution to the Metro, including the Yellow Line, was 80%, with the Centre contributing just 20%. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah mentioned that the state had borne 87.37% of the cost, with the Centre's share only 12.63%.
The state has shouldered a substantial financial burden, with the Karnataka government accusing the Centre of withholding significant funds, including Rs 11,495 crore from the 15th Finance Commission, and having dwindling support over time. This has forced the state to shoulder more expenses, including land acquisition and loan repayments.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge highlighted the Centre's paltry Rs 8,000 crore contribution compared to over Rs 12,000 crore by the state for the Yellow Line project. Politically, there has been a dispute over credit, with BJP claiming the Metro as a Centre achievement, while Karnataka Congress and ministers stress the higher share and efforts of the state government and earlier UPA support.
In Phase 1, the state contributed 30% (including land), the Centre 25%, with the rest borrowed. In Phase 2, the Centre's share dropped to 20%, with the state covering cost overruns and providing land. In Phase 3, the state will put up 20% plus all land and rehabilitation costs, again with the Centre at 20%.
Mr. Reddy has released documents and detailed funding patterns across the three phases of the project, aiming to clarify the state's significant contributions. He has accused BJP leaders of projecting the entire Metro project as the Centre's achievement while sidelining the state's contributions.
Mr. Reddy has also blamed the Centre for delays in the Yellow Line, citing late environmental clearances, coach deliveries, and safety certificates under central jurisdiction. He dismissed BJP leaders' claims of resolving technical and land acquisition issues as state responsibilities, except in cases where land belongs to the Centre or Defence Ministry.
In response to claims that fare hikes for the Bengaluru Metro are decided by the state, Mr. Reddy clarified that these decisions are made by a central committee, not the state. He has questioned why BJP MPs are undermining their own state and ignoring the state's financial role.
The origins of the Bengaluru Metro project date back to 2006 under the Congress-led Dharam Singh government in Karnataka. The initial cost estimate for the project was Rs 6,395 crore, which rose to Rs 14,405 crore. The inauguration of the Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line is shaping up to be a politically charged event, with the Karnataka State Government emphasising its significant contributions to the project.
The Karnataka State Government has emphasized its substantial contributions to the Bengaluru Metro project, particularly the Yellow Line, in light of the politically charged inauguration event. This controversy stems from a dispute over credit, as BJP claims the Metro as a Centre achievement, while Karnataka Congress and ministers stress the higher share and efforts of the state government and earlier UPA support.
The funding patterns across the three phases of the project, as detailed by Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy, demonstrate the state's significant contributions, while BJP leaders are accused of projecting the entire Metro project as the Centre's achievement and sidelining the state's contributions.
