Bengaluru Metro: BJP's Munirathna asks why Bettahalasuru station was dropped, DK Shivakumar slams MLA's ‘selfish motive'
Phase 2B, also known as the Blue line, is a key link to Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. Shivakumar, in his response to Munirathna during Question Hour in the House, stated that the Bettahalasuru station was dropped after real estate major Embassy Group failed to fund its construction as per an earlier agreement.
The station was originally included in the 2018 DPR which was forwarded to the Centre. The state also acquired land for the project after the Embassy Group committed to funding the station's construction at a cost of Rs 120 crore. However, according to Shivakumar, the group has paid only Rs 1 crore so far.
Raising the issue in the Assembly, MLA Munirathna questioned how a private entity's funding failure could stall a public infrastructure project. 'This station serves the public, not private interests. Land acquisition and DPR approval are complete. The government must act to protect public interest,' he said, adding that local MLA Krishna Byre Gowda had also written to Shivakumar underlining the station's importance.
'MLA Munirathna has 70-80 acres of land in the area'
Shivakumar, however, hit back stating that Munirathna owned 70-80 acres of land around the station, which is why he insisted on developing it. 'As per norms, it is allowed to name the station after a company if they sponsor the construction with CSR funds. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi praised the model and Opposition leader (R) Ashoka was also there. Munirathna has about 70-80 acres of land there and hence he needs a Metro station,' the deputy chief minister said.
To which Munirathna quipped, 'If DCM D K Shivakumar makes a call to Embassy builders, they will make the payment in 24 hours. Builders in Bengaluru only listen to him.'
Replying to him, Shivakumar stated, 'Self-interest is natural. The Embassy (Group) has about 250 acres and they were willing to pay Rs 120 crore of the total cost of Rs 140 crore to brand the Metro station there. They have given only Rs 1 crore till now. We will build the station and name it after Munirathna if he pays for it.'
The controversy comes even as Embassy Group, through Vikas Telecom Pvt Ltd, which is part of Embassy Office Parks REIT, is funding the Rs 100-crore construction of the Kadubeesanahalli station on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) corridor under Phase 2A of the Metro project. The station, to be named 'Embassy Tech Village Kadubeesanahalli Metro Station,' is part of a 17-km stretch from Central Silk Board to KR Puram with 16 stations.
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