Venkaiah Naidu expresses concern over Metro delay

Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu

Expressing concern over the delay in the Namma Metro work for Majestic Station, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said he would review the work along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Speaking after inaugurating a workshop on ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, the Minister said he had expressed his concerns during a brief interaction with Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Friday. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi favours extension of the Metro in Bengaluru.

Later, Mr. Reddy told

The Hindu that he had explained the reasons for the delay to the Union Minister. “Work has slowed down because of the presence of hard rocks underground in Chickpet. Apart from this, a tunnel boring machine is stuck in the area,” he said.

Mr Reddy said he also informed the Union Minister that the Chief Minister had been monitoring and inspecting the work, and held talks to expedite the work.

Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), said that any extension of the Metro is good for the city and that Phase II of Metro had already been approved.