Early clearance for Metro phase-II sought

The 72-km stretch of second phase of Bangalore Metro project is likely to cost Rs 23,800 crore. The state government has urged the Centre to issue the clearance for the project before November 2011.

Chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, who participated in the meeting of the empowered group of ministers on MRTS, has asked the Centre to extend support on the same terms as in Phase-I and grant early clearances.

The first phase of Bangalore Metro, which will be a 42-km network, is likely to be completed by December 2013. The cost of this phase is pegged at Rs 11,609 crore. The Centre recently approved the cost escalation in the project from the earlier Rs 8,158 crore.

“I am happy to share that the works of Phase-I of Namma Metro are on the fast track. The first reach of 7 kms from Byappanahalli to M G Road is complete and ready for inauguration,” Gowda said.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Gowda invited him to visit Bangalore for the inauguration of the first reach.

Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a loan of $250 mllion for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). The loan will partly fund a total 42.3 km of track, rolling stock, stations, and equipment for two corridors in the city.

The project is estimated to cost Rs 11,609 crore for Phase-I comprising 42.3 kms in two corridors. Out of the 42.30 km., 8.822 km. will be underground near City Railway Station, Vidhana Soudha, Majestic and City Market, and most of the rest will be elevated. The first phase is likely to be completed in 2013.

BMRCL is a special purpose vehicle, jointly owned by the Government of India and government of Karnataka. Both the Centre and state governments have taken a 15 per cent equity each in the project. The East-West corridor connecting Baiyappanahalli to Mysore Road terminal covers a distance of 18.10 kms and the North-South corridor from Hessaraghatta to Puttenahalli covering 23.70 kms.

The Bangalore Metro is likely to decongest the city relieving the pressure on road transportation in Bangalore, which has more than four million vehicles, registered and 1,300 new vehicles are added every day. BMRCL, which is presently conducting the test runs, had announced the launch of the first reach of 7.5 kms on April 4. 2012

However, the launch date has been postponed indefinitely as the commissioner for railway safety is yet to give clearance for the commercial launch. The BMRCL is also yet to complete the work on stations and put in place a proper ticketing system.

Once operational, the Bangalore Metro is expected to reduce the travel time to around 33-44 minutes on each of its corridors (end to end). Currently, the average time spent in a city bus on the Metro routes takes close to two hours during the peak time.