Project Update: BMRCL

Reach One on track


Decks will be finally cleared for the construction of piers on MG Road for the Reach One of Metro Rail project. BMRC authorities will shift nine more trees from MG Road promenade to Manekshaw Parade grounds in a month.
The environmental impact committee, which is supervising the translocation work, is monitoring the first tree that was translocated two weeks ago. The rough estimate for relocating each tree is around Rs 20,000. However, experts say it takes at least 30 to 40 days to ascertain whether the tree will survive.
If the trees survive, a plan will be drawn up to relocate rare trees (heritage trees) on the entire alignment. While this move will keep the green brigade in cheer, the worry is the cost involved in relocating trees on other reaches of Metro Rail as the transportation component remains high. In case of MG Road, the cost wasn’t much as the tree had to be shifted besides the other side of the compound.
On the other hand, the slope on the MG Road bund has been completely removed and bund itself has been partially removed. After relocating the trees, the bund will be removed to speed up work.
As for civil work, three pits have been dug on MG Road and pillars are being cast to place them. Each pit will have four piers on which the ducts will be placed.
The authorities are also planning to bring heavy hydraulic machines to speed up the work. These machines — with high capacities to drill faster and deeper — will aid in placing a pier within a day’s time.
Work is being carried out in full swing — road widening for Ulsoor station, removing and rebuilding compound wall on MG Road (Manekshaw Parade Grounds), Leprosy Hospital, Binnamangala Cross (military property) to reduce disturbance to these properties from Metro works.
Near Defence Colony, authorities are fencing the defence land allotted for the project. Simultaneously, drilling and piling have also commenced in the area and Binnamangala. The widening of SC Road has already begun. Work is on to set up giant equipment to manufacture piers on the casting yard in Binnamanagala. The authorities expect the trial work will commence soon.
The BMRC has started the spadework at the surface level for Byappanahalli Station, the last station on Reach One. The authorities recently finalised the designs for this station.