I am the next CM of state after BSY: BJP leader Umesh Katti
Bengaluru: Senior BJP leader from Karnataka Umesh Katti has once again made to the headlines with another controversial remark. The six-time MLA on Saturday added that he will become the next CM of the state after the end of tenure of BS Yediyurappa who is currently serving as the CM of the state.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday evening Katti mocked a reporter who asked why he was not chosen to be the Dy.CM of the state. Katti said “I am not Deputy CM material. I am going to be the CM of the state after BS Yediyurappa’s term gets over”.
“I am just 58 years old now. I have chance to be the CM till I turn 70. I am not alone, people of the state are with me. With their blessings I will become the CM after BSY. Till then I am part of the party and will work for the cause of party” he further added.
“Yediyurappa is my political guru and Deputy CM Laxman Savadi is a very good friend of mine. Everybody should get opportunity at positions, likewise even I will get my opportunity to be the CM of the state” Katti told reporters.
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Adani Group emerges lowest bidder for Bengaluru’s 16.75-km tunnel road project
Bengaluru: The Adani Group has become the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-km tunnel road project in Bengaluru, according to sources familiar with the bids opened by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Monday, the government estimated the entire project to cost Rs 17,698 crore, while the Adani Group has quoted Rs 22,267 crore. The ports-to-power conglomerate’s bid is about 24% higher for the first package and 28% higher for the second than the government’s estimates, a gap that could prompt authorities to seek the state Cabinet’s approval on the tenders’ fate.
M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), who is also the Managing Director of B-SMILE, declined to comment.
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In all, four infrastructure companies had participated in the tenders for the project, which has been proposed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with 40% funding from the government and the remaining investment to be raised by the private concessionaire.
During the technical evaluation, the Adani Group and the Hyderabad-based Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd qualified for the financial round.
According to the report, Dilip Buildcon was disqualified due to a clause that bars firms linked to collapsed bridges or tunnels, while Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) was rejected because its joint venture (JV) partner did not meet technical requirements.
With only two companies left in the fray, the Adani Group emerged as the lowest bidder, ahead of Vishwa Samudra.
The tunnel project officially named the North–South underground corridor, is part of the Congress government’s ambitious to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by building two major underground roads (totalling 40 km) along with 13 flyovers and elevated corridors.
The project is the brainchild of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister.
The proposal, however, has faced criticism and political opposition, especially from senior BJP leaders, who object to the alignment that requires acquiring six acres of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a historic green space.
As per the report, Urban mobility experts have also warned that the tunnel corridor may clash with the alignment of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A, possibly affecting the metro expansion.
