Namma Metro update

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) will float tenders next month for electrical traction system of 33 km East – West and North – South rail corridors estimated at Rs 728 crore.BMRC will also float tenders for constructing the MG Road and Trinity circle stations with an investment of Rs 16.5 crore each. For eight other stations including Tollgate, Hosahalli, Vijayanagara, Yeshwanthpura, Soap factory, Mahalakshmi, R.V.Road terminal and Jayanagar tendering has already been given a green signal.BMRC board gave fresh approvals for the two crucial stations and traction system taking the prestigious project into a decisive phase.
The BMRC board under chairmanship of urban development secretary M Ramachandran has also decided to hasten up the procurement of land for the city railway station and entry to Majestic junctions on lease. Lease charges are under negotiation with Indian Railways, officials divulged. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of BMRC that held last week also reviewed the progress of phase one of Bangalore Metro. Over Rs 523 crore has already been invested by the corporation in construction on the seven-kilometre stretch between Baiyappanahalli and cricket stadium. This stretch is scheduled to become operational by January 2010.The entire 33-km phase one of metro network in Bangalore is scheduled to become operational by 2012. On completion of first phase, Bangalore Metro would be able to handle 40,000 passengers per hour. On any working day, the Banglore Metro is being designed to handle 10.20 lakh people.
During current financial year, the BMRC is expected to spend Rs 1211.54 crore towards land acquisition, utility shifting, afforestation, constructing the ducts and stations, traction, civil works etc. Three foreign consultants from France, US and Japan have begun their work to oversee the construction and implementation of the project.