Kheny's interviews

Going by his media talk, Mr Ashok Kheny is sure sounding aggressive and even more determined about his pet project. Here is some interesting stuff I picked out from his recent statements and interviews. First the TOI interview (Sunday, Aug 12).

"... some IAS officers then came to me and advised me to change the alignment as their properties were getting affected..."

"He (Deve Gowda) told me to let go off 245 acres and in return, promised me 5000 acres elsewhere. I learnt through officials that he had made some commitments during the elections that the land will be de-notified"

Wonder why Mr Kheny is unwilling to name any IAS officers, but is so candid in naming politicians. After projecting a victimized-by-politicians image in the interview, there was an interesting promise made as well:

"I will form a trust, leave all the gains out of this project, and take back only what I have invested".

Okay, thats a big one to keep. On to some other recent statements (Business-Standard, DH etc)

"If the state tries to apply the Swiss challenge method to BMIC project, (I) too could submit a proposal to ... acquire the Bangalore International Airport project ..."

"Some partners in GIC (the consortium that wants to take over BMIC) have sent letters saying they had nothing to do with the consortium"

Hope he has handed these letters over to the Supreme Court. A hearing was scheduled for today (Monday), and we should expect something interesting in tomorrow morning's papers.

On the time frame for projects, Mr Kheny told TOI that he expects it to take another three years (2010). About phase-I (peripheral/link roads), he promises it can be ready in two months once he gets the needed land.

All in all, good to see both parties (Gowda family and Mr Kheny) get aggressive here. Hope someone's bluff will be called pretty soon.