K'taka seeks Japanese assistance for metrol rail

The Karnataka government on Tuesday sought financial and technical assistance from Japanese companies and financial institutions to implement the proposed metro rail project in Bangalore.

Addressing the visiting high-level Japanese industrial delegation, here, chief minister N Dharam Singh said: "We have taken up several initiatives to improve infrastructure in the state and Bangalore. Progress has been made in executing the proposed Bangalore metro rail project with a total length of 33 kms at an estimated cost of Rs 5,600 crore."

This project, once implemented, will ease traffic congestion in Bangalore city substantially, he said.

Later speaking to reporters, Singh said the state government will hold detailed talks with the Japanese delegation on Wednesday and make a formal request for the proposed project.

The Japanese delegation consists of 22 industrial houses led by chairman of the board of Toyota Motor Corporation Okuda Hiroshi. The delegation has already had discussions with Union finance minister P Chidambaram and commerce minister Kamal Nath at Delhi on Monday.

Singh said he will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi on December 3, during the chief ministers' conference and seek his assistance on extending the life of Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL).

KIOCL has been directed by the Supreme Court to wind up its mining operations at Kudremukh in Chikmagalur district by end of December 2005. The company has sought licence to conduct mining at Ramanadurga in Bellary district.

"Last time when I went to Delhi I could not meet the prime minister, but this time I will be meeting him and discuss in this regard. We are also working on the possibilities of providing iron ore to the company from other parts of the state," he said.