There could be a hike in ticket fares

There could be a hike in ticket fares


Metro rail work in progress on MG Road
Monica Jha
First Published : 13 Dec 2008 08:36:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 13 Dec 2008 11:35:15 AM IST

BANGALORE: A metro rail ride is still two years away, but the whispers of a hike in ticket fare are doing the rounds already.

The escalation in the total project cost could reflect in a 25 to 30 per cent increase in the fare.

Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), the implementing agency for the metro rail project in the city, N Sivasailam told the Express on Friday: “The actual value of the project in Phase I (excluding the newly-approved extension of the North-South corridor) could go up to Rs 8,500 crore (with a variation of Rs 300 crore) as compared to the initial estimate of Rs 6,395 crore. The extension part would cost BMRCL another Rs 1,780 crore. This might lead to a fare hike. If the project is equity-funded, the hike is likely to be around 25 per cent. While in the case of funding through loan, the hike could be as high as 30 per cent.” BMRCL had earlier proposed a minimum ticket fare of Rs 7 and a maximum of Rs 15. The higher price quoted for rolling stocks by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), the lowest bidder for design, manufacture, testing and supply of rolling stock (train coaches) would cause an additional increase in ticket fare.

BEML has quoted a price 17 per cent higher than that which it supplied the coaches to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). If BEML does not reduce the price, the rolling stocks alone could cost BMRCL Rs 150 crore more than their earlier estimate.

“More expensive rolling stocks would again imply higher ticket fares.

However, we are in talks with BEML to reconsider the price and are hopeful that the Bangalore-based agency which enjoys tax concessions would agree to a lower price,” said Sivasailam.

Even the revised ticket fare would work out to be cheaper than other modes of transport if other components are taken into consideration.

Metro fare would be less than 1.5 times bus fare for the same distance. However, the time, energy and fuel costs saved by taking metro would be much higher, Sivasailam explained.

Deadline confusion

The deadline of December 2010 for Reach I (from Byappanahalli to Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium) is final, Sivasailam said on Friday. He clarified that a statement made by the Chairman of the BMRCL, and Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, M Ramachandran, recently did not imply any further delay. He had said that BMRC work is a year behind schedule while Sivasailam had earlier said that the project is nine months late. “The chairman had taken into consideration the January to January cycle while we were talking about the financial year,” Sivasailam clarified.

Bidders disqualified

In what could be a strong signal to the contractors against indulging in unethical practices, BMRCL has disqualified East Coast Constructions and Industries Ltd (ECCI) from the tender process on technical grounds. BMRCL declined to disclose the reasons behind the disqualification of the company.

BMRCL had earlier issued a show cause notice to ECCI after three top officials of ECCI were caught by the Lokayukta sleuths allegedly bribing a BDA engineer.

ECCI has submitted tender applications for construction of stations at CMH Road, Byappanahalli, Old Madras Road, Ulsoor, Vijayanagar, Hosahalli, Toll-gate, Jayanagar and RV Road terminal, besides- Byappanahalli depot and Peenya yard.

Work on all reaches in full swing by march

Work on all four reaches and underground section of metro rail would be on simultaneously by March end. At the same time, work on 20 stations also would be on.

Contract for construction of viaduct for Reach II from Yeshwantpur to Swastik has already been awarded to the joint venture of a Bangalore based firm, IDEB, and Shanghai Urban Construction Group (SUCG) of China.

In the next board meeting of BMRCL, approval for construction on Reach IV, construction of four stations in Reach I and construction of Peenya Depot are expected. Reach II is scheduled to be completed by June 2011. While underground section would be completed by June 2012 and the reaches dependent on underground section, Reach II and Reach IV, are expected to be completed by September 2012.

BMRCL is awaiting Central Government approval for the proposed extension of 8.7 km in the North-South corridor of Metro Rail project.

The State Government in October approved the proposed extension. The extension from Yesvantpur to Hessaragatta Cross (Peenya) on northern side and from RV Road Terminal to Jarganahalli (at Outer Ring road- Kanakapura Road junction) in South is part of Phase one and would be completed by September 2012.

Yeshwantpur to Peenya extension is 5.6 km while RV Road to Jarganahalli extension is 3.1 km. There are no litigations on land acquisition for the next reaches.