Decision on metro rail alignment along C.M.H. Road likely tomorrow

Decision on metro rail alignment along C.M.H. Road likely tomorrow

The Hindu

BANGALORE: A final decision on the Metro Rail alignment issue raised by traders in C.M.H. Road will have to wait till Friday. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who told the traders that the alignment would not be changed, later deferred a final decision to Friday.

He told presspersons at his official residence "Krishna" that the officials concerned would be called for a meeting on Friday to deliberate on the issues raised by traders and only then could a decision be taken.

Earlier, after his interaction with traders, Mr. Kumaraswamy was more categorical about the alignment change. He told presspersons that any change in the alignment at this stage would delay the project by about a year. At the same time, he said he would sympathetically consider any other minor modifications, if required. He said he would do all that was necessary to mitigate the problems of the people affected by the 33-km project.

He said that traders had told him that 43 buildings would be affected by the present alignment of metro rail but if it was shifted to Old Madras Road, 42 buildings would be affected.

Chief Minister had assured a delegation of traders over a month ago when they had met him that he would visit the C.M.H. Road and hear their grievances on the spot before taking a final decision on the alignment.

C.M.H. Road forms part of the Reach 1 of the project — which includes construction seven stations from Mahatma Gandhi Road (near Cricket Stadium) to Byappanahalli passing through C.M.H. Road and Indiranagar 100 Feet Road.

The entire Reach 1 of metro rail network will have elevated tracks. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRC), which is implementing the project, is in the final stages of awarding the contract for the construction of the bridge. The BMRC hopes to complete this before November 30. The work on the bridge is expected to begin by December.

The soil testing has been taken up in the remaining 26 km stretch of the network. This will help BMRC to decide on the type of pillars to be erected and evolve designs for the underground section of the project.