Bangalore: Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda who reviewed the progress of the ambitious metro rail project in the capital with senior officials, has said the Phase I of the project will be complete by December next year.

The CM also informed that talks are underway with the Union Government with regard to the taking up of the Phase II of the project, which will go a long way in easing traffic congestion in the capital.

The CM informed that the Second Phase of metro project required Rs 26,405 crore. The project was kick started in October last year and trains are presently running on a seven km stretch.

The meeting convened by the CM also monitored the implementation of as many as 213 projects by the Karnataka Water Supply and Sewerage Board (KWSSB). The CM further said  drinking water projects would be taken up in Chitradurga and Bijapur on  Public-Private-Partnership model, as per the recommendations of Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh.