Bangalore Metro Rail First Phase Inauguration by PM by Sep 15

Bangalore, Aug 24: The first phase of the prestigious Namma Metro rail project in Bangalore from Byappanahalli to M G Road via Indira Nagar is likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh by Septemebr 15, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda disclosed on Wednesday.

Participating in a Meet-the-Press programme jointly organized by the Press Club of Bangalore and Bangalore Reporters Guild, the first-ever full-fledged media interaction after becoming the Chief Minister on August 4, Gowda indicated that he would be talking to Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi to take immediate steps for conducting the Railway Safety trials, which is the basic requirement before commencing operations.

''I have already invited the Prime Minister to inaugurate the Reach I of the Bangalore Metro project during my first meeting to Delhi after assuming power," he said pointing out that Prime Minister had told me that he may not be in a position to visit Bangalore on account of the parliament session and his imminent visit to Bangladesh on September 6 and 7 and has agreed to consider it if a date was set around September 15.

The Chief Minister said he held a detailed review of the Bangalore Metro works along with the Chief Secretary S V Ranganath and the top officials of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited on Tuesday.