Major demolition work for metro rail project today

Major demolition work for metro rail project today

S. Rajendran

Latest machinery is to be used for the demolition

Wire-saw and wall-saw machines will be used for the first time

Traffic will not be affected, says BMRCL official

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Now, history: The police quarters at Ulsoor which will be demolished on Monday.

Bangalore: The first major demolition of nearly 20,000 square feet will be undertaken on Monday in the Ulsoor area, to pave way for the prestigious Bangalore Metro Rail. As the State Government owns the property, there is unlikely to be any resistance to the demolition work. However, it could attract attention as some of the latest demolition machinery will be used for the first time in the State.

One block of the Ulsoor Police Quarters, constructed nearly three decades ago, will be brought down to pave the way for the proposed state-of-the-art Ulsoor elevated metro rail station. Work on the railway station is scheduled to commence in another three months. Motor traffic movement on the arterial Ulsoor Road and the adjoining roads will not be affected since the BMRCL has taken adequate care to ensconce the demolition area.

“There will not even be dust during the course of the demolition which is expected to be completed in about a week,” Managing Director of the BMRCL, V. Madhu told The Hindu. The demolition will clear around an acre of land for the metro station structure. This is part of the reach-one work being undertaken from the Karnataka State Cricket Association stadium to Byappanahalli.

The State Government assured the BMRCL that all out efforts would be made to provide the requisite land for the metro rail project. The approval for demolition of one block of the Ulsoor police quarters, comprising 45 houses, was given to the BMRCL only a few days ago after police personnel and their families were shifted out.
Superior equipment

Mr. Madhu said that for the first time, wire-saw machines (steel wires will run at high speed to cut concrete pillars), wall saw machines, electric drilling machines, hammer drilling machines, and large hydraulic cranes will be deployed.

“This is necessary since we have partly acquired some buildings. During demolition, we have to ensure that the remaining parts of such buildings are safe,” he said.

Sources in the Government told The Hindu that a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of former Chief Secretary P.B. Mahishi has also given an in-principle approval for acquiring land at Jakkarayanakere (near Platform Road) to the BMRCL for a concrete slabs and viaduct casting yard.

Incidentally, a part of the same land has also been granted to the police.

The BMRCL has sought stamp duty exemption for the registration of various documents, including the share certificates.

It has sought 40 acres of land at Kinmiki village along Mysore Road for construction of housing quarters for the crew and other staff of the metro trains.