Namma Metro update

The Karnataka government on Tuesday gave inprinciple approval for Phase II of the Metro, with four extension lines of Phase 1 and two new ones. This will be implemented at the cost of Rs 26,405.14 crore over five years; the project is expected to be completed by 2017-18. The project report for Phase II has been prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and updated by BMRC. The government has approved the proposition of exploring PPP models for raising funds. The four extensions of Phase I include that of the eastern corridor from Byappanahalli to Whitefield via ITPL, covering 15.5km with 14 stations at an estimated cost of Rs 4,845crore; western corridor from Mysore Road to Kengeri covering 6.465km with five stations. Extension of the northern corridor of Phase I, which is part of Phase II, starts from Hessarghatta Cross to BIEC on Tumkur Road, covering 3.77km. It will have three stations and Southern corridor will extend from Puttenahalli Cross to Anjanapura Township, covering 6.29km with five stations. The two new lines are on the arterial routes — first, from Gottigere to Nagawara via IIM-B, Dairy Circle, MG Road and Shivajinagar, and the second from RV Road to Bommasandra, having an interchange station at RV Road, which is on the southern corridor of Phase I. The Gottigere-Nagavara stretch covers 21.25km and 18 stations with six elevated and 12 underground stations. The elevated stations include Gottigere, Hulimavu, IIM-B, JP Nagar IV Phase, Jayadeva Hospital and Swagath Road Cross. The 12 underground stations will be constructed near Dairy Circle, Mico Bosch, Langford Town, Vellara Junction, MG Road, Shivajinagar, Cantonment railway station, Pottery Town, Tannery Road, Venkateshpura, Arabic College and Nagavara. The estimated cost of this corridor is Rs 11,014 crore.