Gauge choice may delay Metro

Gauge choice may delay Metro
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The controversy over the choice of gauge is likely to further slow down the proposed Bangalore Metro Rail project, which is awaiting the final nod from the Centre. Unless the issue is sorted out soon, Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited’s (BMRTL) plan to start work from July may not materialise.

The entire project, including land acquisition has been set in motion keeping in mind the standard gauge plan, but the Railways are insisting on broad gauge tracks before giving the green signal.

‘‘The issue very crucial as BMRTL has planned a standard gauge track which the Railways are unlikely to allow,’’ a senior officer admitted to this website’s newspaper. ‘‘The Railways had turned down Delhi Metro’s proposal for standard gauge and it had to opt for broad gauge. We may have to follow suit,’’ the officer said.

Any change in the plan at this juncture will necessitate reworking of the entire plan and more land may have to be acquired. Land acquisition is a critical issue and traders on CMH Road, Chamarajpet, Rajajinagar and Chickpet have already opposed the routes.

While BMRTL chose standard gauge for it small turning radius and medium size bogies with a high carrying capacity, Railways feel there is no need to introduce another gauge in the country. The standard gauge is narrower than broad gauge but wider than metre gauge.

The State Government would have avoided the gauge problem had it passed the Karnataka Tramways Act.

‘‘But as it is pending approval, we have to depend on the Railways,’’ another officer said.

While the wise men sit in judgement over the gauge, the recent hike in steel and cement prices is bound to result in cost overruns. ‘‘The recent hike will increase the project cost by around Rs. 500 crore as Bangalore Metro will use around 1.10 lakh tonnes of steel and five lakh tonnes of cement,’’ the officer added.

The project, now estimated around Rs. 6,200 crore, may escalate up to around Rs. 8,000 crore, an expert on mass transit system said.