Latest news with #JalShaktiandRailways
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bengaluru MP urges Centre to intervene in Railway infrastructure delays
BENGALURU: Bengaluru Central MP P C Mohan has urged Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways, V Somanna, to intervene in several critical railway infrastructure issues affecting Bengaluru. During a preliminary review meeting on the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) held on Saturday, Mohan highlighted that delays by civic bodies and a lack of inter-agency coordination continue to hamper progress. One of the major concerns raised was the stalled Carmelaram Road Over Bridge (ROB), which remains just 35% complete due to delays in land acquisition by BBMP. The incomplete project has led to the closure of the Carmelaram–Gunjur Road, causing severe inconvenience. Mohan also pointed to the underutilisation of the Panathur Road Underbridge (RUB), which, remains non-operational due to pending approach road. He proposed introducing a new superfast train between Bengaluru and Mumbai, noting that existing options like the Udyan Express take over 21 hours.
Hans India
6 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Union Minister Somanna urges K'taka CM to drop police cases against Hemavati canal project protestors
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways, V. Somanna, on Wednesday wrote a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to withdraw the cases filed against protestors, elected representatives, and seers who agitated against the Hemavati Express Link Canal Project. Somanna further demanded a special meeting with elected representatives of the Tumakuru region and stated that he would also attend the meet. Somanna highlighted that if the Hemavati Express Link Canal Project is implemented, farmers in the Tumakuru region will lose their share of water, and therefore, the project should be halted. "I made a submission to this government regarding the project earlier; despite that, the government did not halt it. This is unfortunate," he noted. Somanna claimed that the Hemavati Express Link Canal Project has stirred unrest among the people of Tumakuru, and instead of addressing their concerns, the Karnataka government is attempting to suppress the agitation and instil fear among farmers, farmer leaders, and seers. Somanna stated that Bengaluru Rural BJP MP, C.N. Manjunath, had also discussed the matter with him and expressed his concern over the issue. Somanna demanded that CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM and Water Resources Minister Shivakumar must convene a meeting of local representatives to discuss the pros and cons of the project. He also suggested that experts from both sides, those who support and oppose the project, should be invited to the meeting. Despite resistance of locals, the government has stated that it will go ahead with the project and filed 13 FIRs against more than 100 people, including BJP MLA from Tumakuru Rural Suresh Gowda, BJP MLA from Tumakuru city Jyothi Ganesh, Turuvekere JD(S) MLA M.T. Krishnappa and seers who took part in the protest. The work of the project has been temporarily stopped, as the protest on last Saturday turned violent and threatened to disturb the law and order situation in the region. The BJP is demanding an all-party meeting and has given a deadline of one month to the Karnataka government to halt the project. Home Minister Parameshwara hails from the Tumakuru district and the situation remains tense in the region.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP MLAs, farmers, seers stage protest opposing Hemavathi Express Link Canal Project in Tumakuru
The opposition BJP MLAs, farmers, and some seers, on Saturday, staged a protest against the Hemavathi Express Link Canal Project at Sankapura in Gubbi of Tumakuru district, opposing the canal work to supply water from Tumakuru to Bengaluru South (earlier known as Ramanagara district). Protestors resorted to burning tyres and termed the State government's plan to divert the Hemavathi canal water to neighbouring Bengaluru South district as 'unscientific.' A decision was taken to build an express canal in Tumakuru and the work was started at a cost of ₹1,500 crore. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had directed Home Minister and Tumakuru District In-charge Minister G. Parameshwara to look into any opposition and resolve it. Temporary suspension Following protests, the Deputy Commissioner of Tumakuru district announced that a decision was taken to suspend the work for the time being. The protest was then withdrawn. Earlier, BJP MLAs B. Suresh Gowda, G.B. Jyothi Ganesh joined the protest. Seers from different religious mutts also participated in the protest and were raising anti-government slogans. The protesters sat on the roads disrupting traffic. They used JCB to dump pipes at the project site. Mr. Gowda warned of intensifying the stir if the government continued work in the coming days. 'This is a symbolic protest and we will intensify the protest if the government takes up work after a month,' he said. He urged the government to call an all-party meeting and announce the complete cancellation of the project. The protesters claimed that this project would be detrimental to several taluks of Tumakuru district. Based on panel report Mr Parameshwara said that the work had been taken up based on the report submitted by the technical committee that had okayed it. Speaking to reporters here, the Home Minister said that the BJP's protest against it was 'politically motivated.' BJP had started protesting as soon as work began, he pointed out. Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways and MP representing Tumakuru, V. Somanna, said he wrote to the Chief Minister opposing the project. 'The government is hatching a conspiracy to take water to Magadi, Ramanagara and Kanakapura,' he said. 'Interest of all' Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, said, 'I will not say protest is wrong in democracy. We have spoken to BJP leaders and MLAs also. We will safeguard the interests of all the people'. On being asked about Mr Sommana's letter to the Chief Minister, he said, 'We will seek Mr. Somanna's advice also.' DyCM rules out stopping work KPCC chief and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio, on Saturday categorially ruled out stopping of the work of the Hemavathi Express Link Canal Project in Tumakuru which aimed to supply water to Bengaluru South district (Ramanagara). Speaking to reporters here, he said 40% of the project work was completed and there was no question of stopping the work now.
