Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Shri Manohar Lal reviewed performance of various urban missions in Bengaluru today.During his review Sh Byrathi Suresh, Hon’ble Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning, Government of Karnataka, Sh Rahim Khan, Hon’ble Minister for Municipal Administration, Government of Karnataka, Sh B Z Zameer Ahmad Khan, Hon’ble Minister for Housing, Government of Karnataka, Sh K J George, Hon’ble Minister for Energy, Government of Karnataka, Sh Tushar Giri, Additional Chief Secretary and senior state officials, officers from Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs were present.
The Union Minister has expressed satisfaction on the progress of various missions. He has informed that revised cost estimate of Bangalore Metro Phase-2 project will be examined for approval of Central Government once proposal duly approved by State Cabinet is received in Central Government.
On approval of Bangalore metro phase-3 A, at present about 75 km of metro network is operational in Bangalore and about 145 km of metro network is under construction. Recently just few months back, Central Government has sanctioned 45 km of metro phase-3 network at the cost of Rs 15,600 crore.
Government of Karnataka has submitted proposal of Bangalore phase-3 A proposal of about 37 Km at the estimated cost of about Rs 28,400 crore. The cost estimate of phase-3 A network needs to be examined by expert agency.
Central Government has already given direction in this regard. The project will be taken up for sanction by Central Government, once reply is received from Government of Karnataka. Hon’ble Union Minister further suggested to tackle the issues of legacy waste on priority.
Hon’ble Union Minister emphasized on reuse of treated used water. He stated that reuse of water is need of the time for increased sustainability in urban areas for fresh water sources.He has emphasized on allowing higher FAR along mass transit corridors, which will help in reshaping cities, reducing road congestion and more use of public transport.
During the discussion on fund requirement of the State, over and above the approved schemes of the Government of India, Hon’ble Union Minister encouraged State to take up the reforms to claim the 50 years interest free loan under the ‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SSASCI) 2025-26’.