Bangalore Metro behind schedule

Dug-up stretches on MG Road up to Trinity Circle, workers hardly seen at the site, iron cages standing for long and no visible ground work.Bangaloreans travelling on these stretches have been grumbling that Metro Rail work has slowed down.Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRC) managing director N Sivasailam admitted that Reach 1 of Namma Metro work is nine months behind schedule.The BMRC chief was addressing concerns raised by members of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) on the slow progress of work on the Metro, during an interactive meeting. Sivasailam acknowledged that work was not being taken up on a 24/7 schedule, but pointed out that BMRC was working against opposition to acquisition of land and apprehensions over compensation packages. Just about 12% of the land required for the project is private property. All the identified properties have been notified for possession but there’s hardly any demolition happening because even a small encroachment can hold the project up. Sivasailam addressed comparisons with the pace at which the Delhi Metro progressed by pointing out that in Delhi, the project implementors dealt largely with government-owned properties.The preparedness phase of the project is almost over. Most of the tenders — except the ones for underground tunnelling and rolling stocks — will be out by OctoberTunnelling to be taken up as part of Namma Metro will not have a great impact on water tables in the central business district, according to a study done by the Indian Institute of Science. Interestingly, the study showed leakage in pipelines in sewers has raised the CBD tables. About 500 borewells were monitored and water levels were mapped as part of the study.The BMRC chief also highlighted that local industries and business establishments could have a major role to play in the commercial segments of Namma Metro. The industries could tie up with BMRC for design and construction contracts, rolling stock, automatic fare-collection (AFC) systems, communications, ventilation and airconditioning, apart from kiosk areas — that will house bakeries, book shops, medical stores, ATMs and other business installations — at the Metro stations.Of the 151 milestones identified under different components of the Rs 6,395-crore project, 33 have been achieved and 23 are under completion .

Work on Phase 1 is expected to be completed through five deadlines

December 2010: Byappanahalli-cricket stadium

June 2011: Yeshwantpur-Swastik

September 2011: Underground section

October 2011: City station-Mysore Road

December 2011: City market-RV Road