The Metro dream is gathering steam

The Metro dream is gathering steam
Deccan Herald

Though the BMRC is planning to perform the bhoomi puja in March-end or early April, provided they get the Union Cabinet’s final clearance on March 17 as scheduled, the earth digging work will begin only after three months.


A day after the Central Group of Ministers gave its nod to the proposed Metro project, it is time to get to work for the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC).

Though the BMRC is planning to perform the bhoomi puja in March-end or early April, provided they get the Union Cabinet’s final clearance on March 17 as scheduled, the earth digging work will begin only after three months.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, BMRC Managing Director K N Srivastava said the names of 12 shortlisted agencies out of the 25 who are eligible to bid for the construction of elevated stretch between Byapanahalli and Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium on MG Road, will be disclosed on March 20.

From the day of announcement, three weeks will be given for the bid documents to be prepared, one month for the agencies to submit their bids and another 15 days for shortlisting of agencies. “The construction works will be awarded to selected agencies in June, and the work will begin thereafter,” he said.

Rites of consultancy

However, to speed up the process, the BMRC has decided to skip appointment of general consultants for the seven-kilometre elevated stretch, and has given the responsibility of overseeing the project to RITES.

However, global tenders have been called for appointment of general consultants for the entire project, and a decision in this regard is likely by May-end in consultation with the Japanese Bank of International Co-operation.

“The work will begin in full vigour in September,” Srivastava said. He said acquisition of 102 acres of defence land and 26 acres belonging to the Nuclear Power Corporation Limited is over, and four acres of HAL land will be acquired within 15 days.

Acquisition

Meanwhile, the cabinet note on the acquisition of 57 acres of State government land is in circulation, and is expected to get clearance from the state within 10 days, he added.

Speaking on financial issues, he revealed that the new coalition government has released Rs 92 crore towards the project, and will shortly release another Rs 17 crore.

“The government has assured that it will release Rs 400 crore, out of the Rs 800 crore, collected as infrastructure cess shortly,” he said.

ON THE TRACK

* Union Cabinet nod likely on March 16

* Property survey from March 13

* Shareholders’ pact by March 25

* Land acquisition notification in April

* All work to begin by September

* Elevated stretch to take off in 3 years