Metro Rail will be on track by July-end

Metro Rail will be on track by July-end
The Times of India

Bangalore: Work on the ambitious Rs 5,600 crore Metro Rail project may start by July-end with the project implementation board deciding to meet on June 15 in Delhi to acquire all clearances.

“Tenders for construction of elevated structures have been received from 25 companies, 15 of them foreign. Evaluation work is on and we plan to award work by mid-July so that it starts by July-end,’’ Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL) managing director K.N. Shrivastava said.

To promote Metro Rail, BMRTL will put forth a proposal to the state government with broad headlines as: Restrict threewheelers on certain roads, terminate long-distance buses at the city outskirts and imposition of entry fee on certain routes to decongest vehicular movement.

“Once the Metro Rail is near commissioning, we will have to bring into effect such plans, otherwise the entire project loses its meaning,’’ Shrivastava added.

To discourage use of private vehicles, a hike in parking fee will be suggested. Similarly, to provide convenience to metro passengers, BMRTL has suggested that feeder buses be provided at all Metro Rail stations and there be common ticketing for Metro Rail and BMTC.