Bengaluru, 28 Oct (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bengaluru on November 15 to inaugurate the elevated section of the Pink Line Metro, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said, adding that he would seek a meeting to press for drought relief.

The Pink Line will connect Kalena Agrahara with Nagawara, covering 21.25 kilometres across 18 stations. The 7.5-kilometre elevated stretch is ready for inauguration, while construction of the underground section is continuing.

The 13.76-kilometre underground corridor, linking Dairy Circle with Nagawara through areas including Shivajinagar and Cantonment, is expected to open next year. The proposed inauguration will therefore cover only the elevated portion of the project.

Shivakumar said he would use the Prime Minister’s visit to seek an audience for an all-party delegation and request Central assistance for farmers affected by drought. He described the drought experienced by Karnataka this year as unprecedented.

The state government, he said, was verifying farmers’ bank account details to ensure that drought relief reached beneficiaries directly. Funds had been released, and a government order had been issued to facilitate the payments.

He said account verification was necessary before the money could be credited, with officials checking the details required to complete the transfers. The exercise was intended to ensure that the assistance reached the farmers concerned.

On efforts to meet the Union leadership, Shivakumar said the government would wait until November 1 before deciding on taking a delegation to New Delhi, depending on whether an appointment was granted.

He said he would seek time with Modi during the November 15 visit to Bengaluru and request that the Prime Minister meet representatives of all parties.

The delegation would place Karnataka’s drought situation before the Prime Minister and urge the Centre to provide relief, Shivakumar said, outlining the government’s efforts to secure support for affected farmers statewide.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman