As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to inaugurate Bengaluru’s Metro Yellow Line tomorrow, a fierce political battle has erupted over who deserves credit for the project. Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy accused BJP leaders, including BY Vijayendra and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, of falsely portraying the Metro as a central government achievement while downplaying the state’s significant contributions.

Reddy highlighted the project’s roots in 2006, when then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone under the Congress-led Dharam Singh government. “The Metro belongs to Bengaluru’s people, not any single party,” he asserted. Releasing detailed funding documents, Reddy outlined the state’s substantial financial role across the Metro’s phases. In Phase 1, the state contributed 30% (including land), while the Centre provided 25%, with the rest borrowed. Phase 2 saw the Centre’s share drop to 20%, with the state covering cost overruns and land costs. In Phase 3, the state is funding 20% plus all land and rehabilitation expenses, matching the Centre’s contribution.

The minister emphasized that the state guarantees all loans for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), making Karnataka’s taxpayers liable for any repayment issues. He challenged BJP MPs for undermining the state’s role, noting that the project’s cost escalated from Rs 6,395 crore to Rs 14,405 crore, with the state contributing Rs 24,064.30 crore compared to the Centre’s Rs 17,803.85 crore.

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Reddy also accused the BJP-led Centre of causing delays in the Yellow Line by stalling environmental clearances, coach deliveries, and safety certifications, all under central authority. “Since Congress governs Karnataka, they deliberately delayed approvals and blamed us,” he claimed. He dismissed BJP claims of resolving technical and land issues, stating these are primarily state responsibilities unless involving central or Defence Ministry land.

Further, Reddy alleged the Centre withheld Rs 11,495 crore allocated by the 15th Finance Commission for projects like the Peripheral Ring Road and lake development, with BJP MPs remaining silent in Parliament. He clarified that fare hikes are set by a central committee, not the state.

As the Yellow Line’s inauguration looms, the clash between Congress and BJP underscores the intense political rivalry surrounding Bengaluru’s infrastructure milestones, ensuring Sunday’s event will be as much about politics as progress.

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