'Qatari firm willing to fully fund it': Karnataka minister Parameshwara rejects criticism of metro till Tumakuru

Bengaluru: Three companies based in West Asia have expressed willingness to fully fund the Bengaluru-Tumakuru metro line under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Tuesday. 

Speaking to reporters here, the Tumakuru district in-charge minister reacted sharply to Bangalore South MP L S Tejasvi Surya's opposition to the 59.6-km metro line planned between northern Bengaluru's Madavara and Tumakuru. 

On November 16, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) floated tenders for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the line, which is estimated to cost Rs 20,896 crore with 27 stations. 

The Madavara-Nelamangala section will have stations spaced 1-2 km apart, while the stretch from Nelamangala to Tumakuru may get a station every 4-5 km. Given the high cost, the project may be taken up by under PPP, BOT, DFBOT, DBFOT or the Developer Finance Model. 

Citing a DH report, Surya had noted on Monday that the metro was not the right option to connect Tumakuru and Bengaluru and called it "an urban planning nightmare". He suggested a suburban railway line instead. 

Parameshwara did not take lightly to Surya's criticism and said he seemed "unaware of ground realities".  

"Thousands of people travel between Tumakuru and Bengaluru every day. Areas like Nelamangala, Dobbspet and Kyathasandra are growing rapidly. Bengaluru is under immense pressure — there are water and electricity shortages — so people are choosing to live in these areas. 

"Many industrial parks, including a Japanese township, are being set up in Tumakuru. When growth is happening so fast, shouldn't we ensure good connectivity? With road, metro and rail links, the pressure on Bengaluru will reduce. Developing Ramanagara, Kolar and Tumakuru will ease Bengaluru's burden," he said. 

Parameshwara said two to three companies from West Asia had come forward to invest under the PPP model. A Qatar-based company has officially written to the chief minister expressing willingness to invest Rs 20,000 crore in the metro project, he added. 

"With so much progress made, it is unclear why Tejasvi Surya has spoken (against the project). I will speak to him. This is not a matter of conflict. We must think from the standpoint of the state's development," he said.