“Everything happened in BJP regime…”: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Bengaluru Metro Rail project

Speaking in Hubballi, Joshi pointed out that the metro rail length has expanded from a mere 230 km in 2014 to an impressive 1,036 km today. This growth has not only increased the metro length but also expanded metro connectivity to more than 24 cities, up from just three cities in 2014.”The metro length in 2014 was a mere 230 km; today, it has expanded to 1,036 km. Initially, metro connectivity was limited to just three cities, but today, more than 24 cities have metro connectivity…So everything has happened in the BJP regime…,” said Joshi.

This comes after Karnataka Dy CM claims that the State government contributed 80 per cent and the Union government 20 per cent to the Metro Yellow Line inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Karnataka on Sunday.”While the State government has spent 80 per cent on the Metro Yellow Line, the central BJP government has spent only 20 per cent. In some places, it has spent only 11 per cent,” said Shivakumar.

Responding to media personnel near his Sadashivanagar residence on Sunday, he lashed out at BJP MPs and leaders.”I request Prime Minister Modi to provide at least Rs 1 lakh crore as a grant to Bengaluru. The state government has provided all the money for the land acquisition of the metro project. The BJP government at the Centre should have provided 50 per cent. It has not provided even that. However, we have completed this work for the benefit of the people of Bengaluru, a city in the state of Karnataka. Although Bengaluru is the second-highest tax-paying city in the country, the grant received is very little,” he said.

“Ahmedabad has been given a 20 per cent tax share. We have been given only 10 per cent. For that, consider us like other big cities in the country. Also, think of Bengaluru as the capital of the country. We are not doing politics, but are making a request,” he said.

The senior Congress leader lashed out at the BJP leaders for neglecting Bengaluru.

“BJP says we did everything ourselves. They have no achievements. Not a single MP has brought even 10 rupees to Bengaluru city or the state. They have not even provided any cooperation. BJP MPs in Karnataka should be ashamed. Only the Union Minister for Jal Shakti has sometimes responded to our requests. Apart from that, not a single rupee has come. They have not even given money to the NREGA project,” he said.”These BJP MPs think it is an achievement only if they post an ex (tweet) and post two photos in the media. Your conscience should work here. MPs, leave politics and do the work of bringing funds to serve the people,” he scolded.

He also accused the Union government of neglecting Karnataka.”The central government has completely neglected Karnataka. It has neglected to provide grants. We have honoured the Prime Minister by inviting him to inaugurate it. We have implemented a model project called double decker,” he said.”1 lakh jobs are being created in the IT sector every year in Bangalore. We have made a yellow line to benefit the area where IT companies are located. Today, that line is being inaugurated. The Electronic City flyover was also built during Manmohan Singh’s time,” he said.

When asked about the statements of BJP leaders that Modi’s contribution to the second and third phases of the Metro has increased, he challenged, “No one’s contribution is here. This all started during the time of SM Krishna and Vajpayee. Let them release the figures of how much grant we have given; I will also release them.””I would like to congratulate Infosys, Delta, Biocon and other companies that have donated money for the Yellow Line metro stations,” he said.