Bangalore: Union Minister for Urban Development Jaipal Reddy said that the Group of Ministers, chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, has finalised a list of recommendations for the implementation of the metro rail project in the country.

"The recommendations on the general framework of the policy approach for the project's implementation will be discussed by the Cabinet. The project will be taken up in Bangalore as soon as the recommendations are approved. It will not be delayed for more than a few weeks," he told presspersons on the sidelines of the inauguration of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) quarters here on Sunday.

Mr. Reddy said that issues such as fixing of safety agencies, either by the Centre, private sector or a private-public partnership, would be discussed before the project was approved.

He also said that the Union Government would extend financial and logistical support towards the implementation of the project here. Asked about the possible delay if the project was not cleared by the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), he said that it would not be difficult to get a loan from the bank. JBIC had agreed in principle to extend a loan of Rs. 1,800 crores at 1.5 per cent interest.

He said certain basic policies had to be settled before the project was approved.

He also said that both the previous Dharam Singh Government and the Government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy were in favour of standard gauge, instead of broad gauge.

Keeping in mind the tremendous growth of the city that had put pressure on the city's infrastructure, Mr. Reddy said that the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission would address all problems related to infrastructure. "Under the mission, the Centre will raise Rs. 50,000 crores so as to encourage State governments and local bodies to raise a matching amount," he said.

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