Malls around Metro stations

Malls around Metro stations
The Times of India

Bangalore: Get down from the Metro Rail and head straight to malls, mutiplexes, entertainment zones and offices. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation has proposed to the government such complexes can come up near all the 32 Metro Rail stations, ensuring higher money flow to the government coffers.
The plan has already got the seal of approval from chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. The BMRC has proposed that commercial complexes can be set up within 200 metres of Metro Rail stations and connected through concourses from the station lounges.
The idea, BMRC managing director V Madhu told The Times of India, is to have direct connectivity between the stations and shopping areas, so that commuters need not get on to the road.
The BMRC has proposed that the government increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) — the built up area, which is currently 1.75 — by three times. FAR is the ratio fixed by the building bylaws which will correspond with the width of the road, zone and area of the site. This entails the builder to construct the proportionate structure. An increased FAR will benefit shop owners and encourage economic activity.
A BMRC study shows that Sydney, Hong Kong and Shanghai have benefitted from this model. It will give a higher Economic Rate of Return projected currently to be 22 per cent, from the Metro Rail. If shopping zones are also connected to the Metro stations, ERR will increase further. Building of malls will not cost the government anything, instead it will ensure higher revenues.
With Metro Rail, transportation could be about 60,000 phpdt (peak hour peak direction traffic), which is three times that of traffic on the road. Simultaneously, road traffic could be reduced by half to 10,000 phpdt, decongesting the roads. Madhu said the issue has been proposed to government, which will take a decision shortly. JBIC approval for Metro Rail
Bangalore: The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has finally cleared the five shortlisted consortia for general consultants of the Bangalore Metro Rail project.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) managing director V Madhu told The Times of India that the approval came two days ago. With this, the BMRC will now start the process of selecting the consortia, which will build the Metro Rail for the city.
The shortlisted consortia are: 1. Louis Berger Group Inc, USA, Mott Mac Donald Ltd UK, MTR Corporation Hong Kong and Dalal, Mott Mac Donald India; 2. RITES India, PCI Japan, PB Group, USA, and Cistra France; 3. CPG Consultants India Pvt Ltd Singapore, MSI Global pvt ltd Singapore, SECON Surveys Pvt Ktd - India, and TCE Consulting Engineers-India; 4. Consulting Engineers Services (India), WSP Group International Ltd (UK), Tonichi Engineering Consultants INC Japan, Katahira & Engineers Ltd Japan, and Arup - Hongkong; 5. Semaly-Aegis, France, Gadish Engineering-Israel, and Span Consultants-India.
BMRC sent letters of commercial bids to the five consortia on Thursday and they in turn have to give their offer in 60 days time. Tendering would be open on November 18.
Madhu said even as the process of finalisation of the general consultants will take three months from date, the BMRC will start the first physical work for the Bangalore Metro project in January 2007 on the Byapanahalli-Cricket Stadium (MG Road) leg. Work will be seen happening near the Anil Kumble circle, he added.
JBIC is pitching a loan of Rs 1,800 crore for the Rs 6,395 crore project. The finalisation of the general consultants will be decided in consultation with JBIC.
Meanwhile, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy is expected to give his final decision on the CMH Road alignment within a week. He had visited the CMH Road and met the protesting traders, who are losing their property to the Metro Rail project and hence are seeking a realignment. The CM will also shortly visit the Mahakavi Kuvempu Road for a final inspection before passing a decision.