27.1.21

Bengaluru: BMRCL clears the decks for ORR Metro corridor

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd has started the work of shifting the gas pipeline from Outer Ring Road (ORR), where the company plans to build an elevated Metro corridor. On Friday, workers were seen barricading a portion of the road near Kadubeesanahalli for shifting a large underground gas pipeline.

Ajay Seth, Managing Director, BMRCL confirmed that the GAIL pipeline was being shifted to make way for Metro’s Phase II-A and Phase II-B work. “This is a major pipeline. Shifting of the 250-metre-long pipeline is needed at two locations, one at Marathahalli and another at Veerannapalya,” he said.

Other than shifting the pipeline, BMRCL has cleared almost all hurdles that are coming in the way of Metro work. Sources said that around 20-25 structures have been demolished and the work of shifting electrical lines has been nearly completed.

The BMRCL has also identified about 400 trees which will be affected due to the project. While it plans to save over 100 trees, the remaining ones might face the axe. Sources said the corporation has already applied for permission with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike authorities.

Simultaneously, the BMRCL is also awaiting approval from the Central government for the Phase II-A (Central Silk Board to KR Puram) and Phase II-B (KR Puram to Kempegowda International Airport) projects. The approval is a pre-requisite for the BMRCL to go ahead with the construction activities. Officials have already opened bids for the civil work for the Phase II-A project but the tenders have not been awarded yet.

Tenders have also been floated for the civil works pertaining to Phase II-B. Bids are scheduled for opening by end of January. Officials hope the approval will come in the first quarter of 2021-22.

No comments: