Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that the entire route of Namma Metro Phase-I would be open for commercial operations from April 2017.
Speaking to media persons after reviewing the progress of ongoing Namma Metro Phase-I works in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the total length of Namma Metro Phase-I is 42 km. “Now the BMRCL is operating train services on the 29-km route and the train services are yet to be operated on the remaining 11 km route that has four-km long tunnel. Fifteen meters of tunnel work is pending. Works such as laying the rail track, electrification of the rail track and trial run, etc. will be completed by March 2017. The Rs 13,800 crore Namma Metro Phase-I will be completely open for operations by April 2017,’’ the chief minister said.

He said that as of now on an average 1.8 lakh people have been using Namma Metro for commuting and five lakh peopleare expected to use Namma Metro for daily commuting in the city if the entire Phase-I becomes operational.

Stating that work on the 72-km second phase of Namma Metro route has already began, the chief minister said the work  from Mysore Road to Kengeri and Kanakapura Road to NICE Road is in progress. “The process of floating tenders inviting bidders for a 16-km route from Electronic City to Whitefield will begin by this month end. Around Rs 26,400 crore investment is required to complete the second phase of Namma Metro. While the Centre and the State governments bear 20 per cent each of the total cost, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will raise the funds for the remaining investment. We have decided to complete the work (Namma Metro Phase-II A) between Central Silk Board and KR Puram on a priority basis at an estimated cost of Rs 3,500 crore. The BMRCL has been instructed to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) by October 20,’’ he said.

The chief minister has said the second phase of Namma Metro would be completed by 2020, but the Namma Metro Phase-II would be completed two years before the scheduled time. “If the second phase of Namma Metro becomes operational, more than 15 lakh people are expected to commute by Metro every day. It will help decongest the city roads,’’ he said.

Alternative routes

The chief minister said the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) have submitted a report on nine alternative routes to connect the Kempe Gowda International Airport. “The information has been uploaded on the BMRCL website seeking suggestions and opinions from the public. The government will take a decision after receiving the feedback from the public. Meanwhile, the tender process has begun for the Rs 1,800-crore elevated steel bridge between Basaveswara Circle and Hebbal,’’ he said.

Encroachment of storm water drains

The chief minister said the authorities would take measures to clear encroachments on the storm water drains in the city. “The authorities will not hesitate to demolish the buildings constructed on the storm water drains. There will be no exception if such buildings belong to affluent people. I have directed the officials to go ahead with the demolition drive without any discrimination. The proposal to provide shelter for the poor who have lost shelter during the demolition drive is under consideration,’’ he said.