Government keen to make Metro viable

Government keen to make Metro viable

The Hindu

Steps proposed include curbs on autorickshaws on the route

# Low number of riders in Delhi Metro causing concern
# BMTC may start feeder services to Metro station
# Land acquisition likely to pose problems
# Any more delays in implementation may push up project cost

BANGALORE: Although the Public Investment Board has cleared the clarification about the feasibility of the Metro Rail project, a few hurdles may still remain.

The Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Ltd. (BMRTL) is known to have made some proposals to the State Government to make the project more viable. All of them may not find favour. Some of the proposed measures are for restricting other transportation such as autorickshaws on the routes followed by the Metro.

In its reply to the clarifications sought by the PIB, the State Government too listed measures it may take to increase rider number for the Metro, based on traffic surveys.

Measures such as additional taxation of private vehicles may not be practical, many in the Government have pointed out. Despite an increased fleet of city buses, many commuters still want personal transportation and autorickshaw drivers' unions have staged protests. Bringing back parking fees may not be possible either.

The BMRTL is known to have informed the PIB that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is considering certain measures to increase its usage and similar steps can be taken in Bangalore.

The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) is yet to acquire private land needed for Metro Rail although it has executed agreements for taking over Defence land. The cost of land acquisition is likely to be around Rs. 600 crores. BMRTL will have to deposit this with the KIADB after adjusting the deposits of Rs. 20 crores already made. Land acquisition has run into problems with traders in one stretch on C.M.H. Road opposing it.

The Metro Rail project requires around 202 acres of land and the brighter side is that it has arranged to take over 102 acres of defence land. Of the private land it has to acquire, about 2.6 lakh sq. metres is built up space and litigation can stall their takeover.

If these hurdles can be overcome soon enough, BMRTL can avoid cost escalation caused by delays.