Metro work to commence within three months

Work to commence within three months
Vijay Times

Bangalore: Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Ltd (BMRTL) has called for global tenders to appoint a consultant to oversee the work, once the construction commences for phase1, BMRTL managing director, K N Shrivastava, told Vijay Times on Monday

The expression of interest has already been called, for which a total of nine consortiums have submitted their bids.They will be shortlisted soon, after which the final bidder / bidders will be evaluated and selected, say BMRTL officials.

Meanwhile, ground work on the eagerly-awaited Bangalore Metro project is all set to commence within three months as the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs will most likely approve the Rs 6,000-crore project by the end of this month.

The Public Investment Board (PIB) had cleared the project on August 6. "The issue of tax exemption to the tune of Rs 490 crore sought by us from the Centre is also being worked out" he added.

The BMRTL chief said KIADB is also finalising issues pertaining to land acquisition, expected to settle before work commences. BMRTL authorities say the alignment of the first phase will not be altered and will proceed as per the original plan. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already received the go-ahead from both the State and the Centre.

Sandeep Dash, Executive Director (Finance), BMRTL, said the issue of tax exemption to the tune of Rs 490 crore is not a hitch at all. "Even if it is not forthcoming, there will be an increase in the contribution from the Government of India by 5 per cent, taking the equity participation to 25 per cent for which the contribution will be paid upfront" he said.

"Excavation work for the tunnel boring process, for the underground section of the metro will be done using the state-of-art equipment either from Germany or Japan. This will ensure no damage is done to roads or properties on the surface," says Dash.