Prime Minister's Inauguration of Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line Imminent, Congress Boasts of Role in Project Completion
The Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line, set to be inaugurated tomorrow by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been a project largely financed by the Karnataka state government. According to recent reports, the state government has contributed significantly more to the project, bearing around 87.37% of the total cost, while the central government has contributed only about 12.63%.
The state government's substantial financial contribution is evident in the Rs 25,387 crore it has spent on various phases of the metro projects, including the Yellow Line. Additionally, the state has taken on the responsibility of loan repayments, amounting to another Rs 3,987 crore, bringing the total to Rs 59,139 crore. In contrast, the central government has provided only Rs 7,468.86 crore directly from its treasury.
Initially, the funding model was designed as a 50:50 partnership. However, much of the central government's funds came as loans with interest, effectively increasing the state's financial responsibility. This disparity has not gone unnoticed by Karnataka officials, including Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who have expressed frustration at the central government's minimal monetary support.
The political debate around the metro funding highlights this disparity, with opposition leaders noting that the project was initially launched under the UPA government but the BJP-led central government’s support has been reduced in later phases. Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has launched a counter to BJP claims regarding the project's credit, accusing BJP leaders of projecting the entire Metro project as the Centre's achievement while sidelining the state's contributions.
In Phase 1 of the project, the state contributed 30% (including land), the Centre 25%, with the rest borrowed. In Phase 3, the state puts up 20% plus all land and rehabilitation costs, again with the Centre at 20%. Despite these contributions, the state has given guarantees for all BMRCL loans, meaning the state's taxpayers are liable if repayments falter.
The delays and disputes over the Bengaluru Metro project serve as a reminder that politics often plays a significant role in the city's infrastructure development. Mr. Reddy has accused the Centre of withholding Rs 11,495 crore allocated by the 15th Finance Commission for projects like the Peripheral Ring Road and lake development. He has also blamed the Centre for delays in the Yellow Line, citing late environmental clearances, coach deliveries, and safety certificates all under central jurisdiction.
However, Mr. Reddy clarified that Phase 1 of the Bengaluru Metro project, contrary to some claims, included 42 km planned under Congress rule. He dismissed BJP leaders' claims of resolving technical and land acquisition issues as being state responsibilities, except in cases where land belongs to the Centre or Defence Ministry.
The inauguration of the Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line is shaping up to be a politically charged event, with fare hikes and the distribution of credit for the project's success at the forefront of discussions. Mr. Reddy reiterated that fare hikes are decided by a central committee, not the state. Despite the political battles, the completion of the Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line is a significant step forward in the city's public transportation infrastructure.
The disparity in financial contributions for the Bengaluru Metro project between the state and central governments has sparked political debates, with opposition leaders stating that the project's initial launch was under the UPA government, but support from the BJP-led central government has since decreased. Meanwhile, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has countered BJP claims regarding the project's credit, accusing BJP leaders of overlooking the state's financial contributions and asserting that policy-and-legislation, particularly regarding loan repayments, remains the responsibility of the state government. Overall, the ongoing disagreements emphasize the role of politics in general-news topics like the development of Bengaluru's infrastructure.
