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Government to go ahead with Mysore-Bangalore expressway

The Karnataka government will construct the Rs 20 billion Mysore-Bangalore four-lane express highway project, said the state Public Works Minister C M Udasi.

He said the opposition's allegations were baseless. Opposition leaders in both the legislature houses have alleged the payment of kickbacks to the persons in charge of the express highway project deal.

They also charged the government was acting as a "real estate agent" by permitting private companies involved in the project to acquire land to build roads and five townships along the highway.

Udasi said the Opposition leaders have raised a hue and cry over the project because they are jealous of the ruling party. "No state in the country has initiated such a project . Even the Centre has complimented Karnataka on going ahead with the project. In fact, the Kerala public works minister had come to Karnataka to study the project. Since the previous ruling party did not do anything of this sort, it is now making wild charges. We don't attach any importance to such baseless allegations," he maintained.

Udasi said the government gave the final clearance for the project on April 3 last. The cabinet had also cleared the project. Investment in the project will by from private companies only, the state government will stay away.

The companies involved in the project -- Kalyani Group, VHB and SAB -- have sought a total area of 20,000 acres and would be investing the entire Rs 20 billion needed. Of the total land to be acquired, hardly 15 per cent would be wet land, claimed Udasi. Initially the companies would build four lanes, and later six lanes would come up.

Udasi pointed out that over one-and-a-half years would be required to only acquire the land, and the actual commencement of work would begin after two years.

Opposition leaders, however, said many questions raised by them have remained unanswered and they remained undecided on whether to pressurise the Government to abandon the project or not.

Compiled from the Indian media