'Namma Metro' to chug on despite many hiccups

'Namma Metro' to chug on despite many hiccups
D H News Service, Bangalore:
Would the frequent protests by members of the CMH Road Shops and Establishments Association prevent the traffic authorities and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) from proceeding with pier construction works on Indiranagar's busiest road?


‘No,’ if the ‘Namma Metro’ officials are to be believed. The BMRCL is keen on completing the Rs 6,396 crore project as per the deadline of December 2010. Movement of vehicular traffic on the busy CMH Road will not be banned but only restricted and the diversion plan that includes barricading the road will be implemented within the next few days, according to BMRCL.

“Construction work to lay piers will begin from B M Shri Circle junction up to Adarsha Theatre junction. Up to Double Road, the width of the road is broad enough to allow movement of cars, three and two wheelers. There will be 4 mts width on either side for vehicular traffic.” explained the officials.

To facilitate this, directional sign boards are being placed at the Trinity Circle junction and on the left carriage way of Cubbon Road, approaching from Minsk Square towards Manipal Centre and on Halasuru Road, Kensington Road and Murphy Road. Vehicles may also use the Airport Road, Indiranagar fly-over loop to reach Indiranagar.

Land acquisition

Meanwhile, the BMRCL has passed awards in respect of property/land acquisition to the tune of Rs 77,48,06,218 in 64 cases covering 4934.543 sq mts. As many as 59 persons have been handed over rehabilitation allowance of Rs 93,28,133 and 75 private properties have been acquired.

Pier construction

The BMRCL has completed construction of seven piers on Reach 1 (Byappanahalli to Cricket Stadium). A total of 209 piers are scheduled to be constructed on this stretch. Survey of utility shifting in Reaches 2,3 and 4 are also complete, added BMRCL officials.

BDA land

The State Government has also approved the proposal of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to provide 20 acres land to BMRCL for allotment of site/premises to property losers. The BDA is in the process of identifying the layout in which sites would be allotted to Namma Metro land losers at market rates.

This also includes allotment of commercial spaces for establishments of shops in BDA shopping centres in respect of 18 persons affected by the project, said BMRCL officials.