State approves Phase I of monorail for city

The Karnataka government today decided to take up the work on first phase of monorail between Agara Lake and Majestic in Bangalore city under the public private partnership (PPP) model. The 15.7 km stretch is proposed to be developed under the Swiss Challenge method.

A consortium led by Bangalore-based Geodesic Techniques Pvt Ltd and Scomi Group of Malaysia has bagged the project.

The chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, after holding a meeting with the project proponents here today, told reporters that the government has given its approval for the first phase and tenders would be issued shortly. The details of exact amount of investment required for the project will be announced once the bids are opened, he said.

Sumitra Iyengar, director, Geodesic said, “The company held discussions with the chief minister today and he has approved the project. We will hold the final meeting with the infrastructure development department officials tomorrow to finalise the date for submitting our financial bids.

Once we submit our bid documents, the department would float tenders for the project.”

Yeddyurappa said the government was committed to build a monorail for Bangalore city, which will run as a support to Metro network.

He said the government has also decided to invite bids from the private sector for development of a business park on 307 acres land near Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli.

Yeddyurappa said, the government would purchase 1,000 Mw each year for the next three years to meet the shortage. The power will be purchased from Power Exchange of India, Jindal Group and Gujarat government.

The government would continue to buy power even if reservoirs are full.”Karnataka will be self-sufficient in power in three years,” he said.

He said the state has started purchasing 1,000 Mw between 6 am and 6 pm, and 500 Mw in evenings, at an average price of Rs 4.77 per unit. In addition, the State is buying 450 Mw from Gujarat, Jindal and other firms, Yeddyurappa said.

He said the State is getting 280 Mw from Bellary Thermal Power Station, and 160 Mw from Udupi Power Company, while 870 Mw is now available from Raichur Thermal Power Station.