Airport takes wing, Metro on track

Bangalore: Two heavyweight projects for Bangalore — Metro Rail and the international airport — which have been stuck in the pipeline for some time, did get the some budget attention, though just in passing.
Besides the "smooth progress" of the under-construction Bangalore International Airport and provision of Rs 128.85 crore for it, the expansion of Mangalore airport and upgradation of Hubli airport did come in for mention.
Finance minister B S Yediyurapppa has provided Rs 25 crore for upgradation of major airports, including land acquisition for Shimoga and Karwar airports, which is supposed to begin this year. The exit line? Budgetary support for airport infrastructure is 39.19 per cent higher than last year.
Yediyurappa said the Karnataka government has decided to go ahead with the Bangalore Metro Rail project, but threw the ball into the Centre's court, stating that the project is now awaiting clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Last year, the Public Investment Board (PIB) had granted its clearance.
20/03/06 Times of India

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