Metro Rail work yet to gain pace

Metro Rail work yet to gain pace
By Hemanth C S, DH News Service, Bangalore:
In a few days from now, it will be a year since the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) demolished the historic boulevard on MG Road, much against the wishes of environmentalists and old-time Bangaloreans. But, not much progress has been made as the work has slowed down.


With the delay in Reach One of the project (Chinnaswamy Stadium to New Byappanahalli), it is doubted if BMRC can stick to its deadline of 2011 to complete the project. According to engineers associated with Metro Rail projects across the country, funds are not a problem, but lack of coordination among contractors entrusted with carrying out the works is causing the delay.

Sources say wrong selection of private partners, who are not aggressive enough to put the project on track has also added to the woes. Other projects launched at the same time as the Namma Metro are progressing well, they added.

However, V Madhu, managing director, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation denies that there has been a delay in execution of the Rs 6,396 ‘Namma Metro’ project on M G Road.

“We are on schedule. The concrete pillars (piers) are progressing. The super structure on which the metro will run will be laid later. It is an 18 month time schedule. BMRC will complete the elevated stretch on reach one by September 2008. As soon as this is over, we will re-lay the boulevard and restore it to its aesthetic beauty,” he said.