Many more smart elevators

Many more smart elevators

METRO Longer Phase 1 increases number of stations

R Krishnakumar | TNN


Bangalore: The proposed extension of Namma Metro’s Phase 1 has led the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) to go in for tendering of more elevators in Phase 1 stations. The corporation, on January 15, invited global tenders for the design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of machine room-less elevators for these stations.
The original requirement was for about 85 elevators for 32 stations on the east-west corridor (18.1 km) and the north-south corridor (14.9 km), on a combination of at-grade, elevated and underground sections. The new number of elevators is expected to be specified later.
The elevators will be disabled-friendly and have features including an autorescue arrangement during power shutdowns, infra-red curtain type door safety device, audio announcement, communication with the station master, control panel for persons with disability and other intelligent systems.
The move to increase the number of elevators follows a proposal for extension of the north-south corridor (5.6 km towards north of Yeshwanthpur up to Hesaraghatta Cross and 3.7 km towards south, from RV Road terminal up to Puttenahalli along Kanakapura Road). The extension proposal is under process of clearance from the government. Of the 32 originally scheduled stations in Phase 1, 22 are elevated.
WORK IN
PROGRESS
The BMRC has, despite worries over the progress of work on the M G Road stretch, has maintained that there’s no going back on the December 2010 deadline, to commence Namma Metro’s commercial operations. “Given that deadline, we hope to complete civil works on Reach 1 by January or February, 2010,’’ a senior BMRC official said.
According to the latest update from BMRC, foundation works on CMH Road (in Reach 1) has almost been completed, even as casting of the girder segments there is on. Of the 953 piles that dot the reach, around 660 have been put in place.
The main tender documents for the design and construction of underground tunnels and stations have been issued. With seven pre-qualified consortia in the fray, the tenders are likely to be opened in late February.
Tenders for the M G Road and Trinity Circle stations are tipped to be awarded soon. Excavation for road diversion has commenced in the erstwhile NGEF land that was taken over recently by BMRC.
On Reach 2, the BMRC has completed the evaluation of land. The road-widening drive is in progress on Reach 3 (Swastik to Yeshwanthpur) and the BMRC has also commenced diversion of the utilities in Reach 4 (K R Market to R V Road terminal). ELEVATOR PLANS Tenders called for work on more elevators Move follows phase 1 extension proposal Disabled-friendly elevators with intelligent systems Auto-rescue and communication with station master