Namma Metro snippets

The proposed extension of Namma Metro’s alignment on the north-south corridor — Yeshwantpur to Hesaraghatta Cross and South End Circle (R V Road) to Jaraganahalli — is likely to get a cabinet nod .It was approved by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) some time back.The distance covered from Yeshwantpur to Hesaraghatta Cross is slated to be 5.6 km and the alignment runs through Peenya. The financial estimation of the project is Rs 1,082 crore. The other belt connecting R V Road to Jaraganahalli will cover 3.1 km, benefiting commuters in Jayanagar, J P Nagar and Banashankari. The estimated budget for this is around Rs 510 crore. The ridership expected, according to a note prepared by the urban development department for the extended length, is 12 lakh per day by 2011 and 19.5 lakh per day by 2021. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the consulting agency for the project, has already submitted a detailed project report on the extension.
The cabinet meeting is also expected to approve issue of an ordinance to acquire 1135.1 sqm of land in Lalbagh Botanical Gardens and handing over of the same to BMRC for construction of the Lalbagh elevated station. The station will come up on R V Road, abutting the park.The ordinance will also include provision for acquiring 1,223 sqm land in Indira Gandhi musical fountain park, which is a part of Cubbon park, for the extension of a four-lane road connecting Bellary Road. Both sites belong to horticulture department.
BMRC MD N Sivasailam said the extension of Namma Metro to Electronic City will be taken up as part of the second phase. The extension will be one of the two corridors identified for Phase 2, from Yelahanka to Electronic City.

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