Centre contributed just 20% of Bengaluru Metro Rail project cost, says Deputy CM Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said the Centre has very little role in the Bengaluru Metro Rail project as 80 to 90 per cent of the project cost was borne by the state government.
He said the state government requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Yellow Line of Bengaluru Metro Rail from RV Road to the Electronic City out of respect for him.
"Today Yellow Line has been inaugurated. 80 per cent of the project cost has been contributed by the State government and 20 per cent was borne by the BJP government at the Centre. In some places, the Centre has spent only 11 per cent," Shivakumar told reporters as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Yellow Line of Bengaluru Metro at RV Road Metro Station.
"Centre has fully neglected Karnataka, but to respect Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we requested him to inaugurate the Metro Yellow Line,” Shivakumar said. According to him, Karnataka state government gave money for the land acquisition and infrastructure.
The Centre was supposed to shoulder 50 per cent of the project cost but it did not give money. "However, for the honour of Karnataka’s state capital Bengaluru, which generates huge tax for the Centre, where every year nearly 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh new job creation happens and techies from across the country come here seeking job and also for the convenience of techies, we built metro rail till the electronic city,” Shivakumar said.
The Deputy CM said that the flyover in the Electronic City was constructed during Manmohan Singh’s tenure. He also thanked Infosys, Biocon, Delta and others who donated money to build Metro stations.
"Some BJP people are projecting that the Metro Rail was a Central government project but the Centre has done nothing. No MP gave a penny or any cooperation for the Metro Rail project in Bengaluru. It is a matter of shame for all the MPs of Karnataka,” he charged.
Shivakumar claimed that the Centre did not help Karnataka get funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Alleging that the Centre did not give sufficient funds for the city’s infrastructure, the Deputy CM appealed to Modi to give Rs 1 lakh crore for Bengaluru as has been given to the national capital Delhi "because this is the second highest tax generating city in the country".
"I am going to give a representation to him (Modi). I am requesting him not to ignore Bengaluru. Treat it like the national capital," Shivakumar said.
He claimed that the Centre has contributed 20 per cent share in Ahmedabad infrastructure project but in Bengaluru, it has given only 10 per cent, which is a well-documented fact.
"I don’t want to indulge in politics and there is no need for it but I am bringing this to his (Modi’s) notice. MPs must set aside politics and bring central grants to serve people,” the Deputy CM said.
Taking a swipe at the Bengaluru MPs, he said this is not a service to just post things in the social media with photographs and get coverage in the newspapers. "Your conscience should permit. You should work like that," Shivakumar said.
When asked about BJP claiming that Modi gifted Metro Rail to Bengaluru, Shivakumar said no one has any role in it.
He claimed that the Metro Rail project was started by former Congress Chief Minister late S M Krishna when late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister of the country.
"Let them (BJP leaders) release their statistics to show how much money did they give for the metro project and I will also reveal our data," he said.
The ruling Congress and opposition BJP in Karnataka have locked horns over the Metro Yellow line. Congress is claiming that the state government made the project happen, while the BJP said the Centre has contributed to the Metro Line.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
