Metro should be implemented early: Dharam

Karnataka chief minister Dharam Singh on Thursday said there should be no delay in implementing the metro rail project as, "Chennai and Hyderabad are waiting to grab it."

"If we delay implementing the project, Chennai and Hyderabad will grab it," he said, responding to a question jointly raised by K C Kondaiah, Nafeesa Fazal and V S Ugrappa from Congress and Arvinda Limbavali (BJP) during question hour in the Legislative Council.

Spelling out the reasons as to why Metro rail was "most apt for the state" in comparison to monorail, he said monorail involved much more expenditure, while the capacity was less.

Karnataka has not received any funds for the project from the centre, he said, adding that the state government has already spent Rs 47.91 crore for project.

An allocation of Rs 109 crore has been made for the metro rail project in 2005-06 state budget. The project, commencing this year, is expected to be completed in 2010, Singh said.

The Public Investment Board meeting in this regard has already been held in New Delhi in June. "The second meeting is expected anytime and once it is held, work on the project will begin," he assured.