Metro line to be extended

Metro line to be extended
T he government has decided to extend the North-South line of Metro rail project (Phase 1). On the northern side the railway line will be extended (5.6 kms) up to Hesaraghatta cross and on the southern side up to Jaraganahalli (5.5 kms).

Additional expense of the metro project is about Rs 1,592 crore. In addition the cabinet ordered to take up metro link from Electronic City to Whitefield in the Phase II.

Home Minister V S Acharya said that cabinet decided to bring in an amendment to the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act 1975 to let out necessary portion from Lalbagh and Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain (IGMF) park near High Grounds for Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation.

As per the alignment of Metro rail work 1,135 sq mts of land in Lalbagh along R V Road is required to set up a metro station. Similarly a small portion in IGMF is required for the project. But, as per the existing Act, no non-horticulture activity is allowed in the land belonging to government parks.

The government will bring an amendment to enable the transfer of the required land to the BMRC. Once the amendment is passed BMRC will acquire 20 feet width of Lalbagh area (from the west gate) towards the South End Circle for setting up a station. The stretch of the area required for the station has an eucalyptus grove and rocky surface.