Contractors given deadline of 22 months to complete project

[Click To Enlarge]


I Contractors given deadline of 22 months to complete project I When projects like Metro Rail are finished on time, we all will celebrate. Individual petitions delay the project and lead to cost escalation. Land losers should also be given adequate compensation Projects like Metro Rail are essential for a city like Bengaluru. They strengthen the public transportation system. Individuals or organisations should not hamper develop- ment projects in the interest of the general public ‘ People have been directed to vacate premises before March to allow for ‘ speedy completion of the project
Namma Metro is back on track with the Karnataka High Court dismissing six writ petitions filed by the public against the acquisition of land for the project at CMH Road, MG Road and Old Madras Road. The litigation had halted work on the project for many months.

The court’s decision will also bring relief to citizens who have suffered traffic congestion on roads narrowed by work on the project, following the legal tussle between Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) and the petition ers over acquisition of properties for Metro Rail stations.

The High Court vacated a stay order on February 9 and dismissed writ petitions filed by B.V. Nagesh, B.V. Jagadeesh, T.S. Prameela and M. Padmavathi, all residents of Lady Curzon Road.

The court observed that it was dismissing the individual petitions, that challenged the acquisition of land through Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), in the larger interest of the public.

If the project is completed soon, it will benefit the public and solve traffic con gestion, the court observed.

The petitions related to land acquisition at Trinity Circle, RV Road, Craig Park Layout, South End Circle, Basavanagudi and Old Madras Road.

Following the court order, Metro officials directed contractors concerned to complete the project on time.

People have been directed to vacate acquired premises before March to allow for speedy completion of the project, BMRCL chief engineer B.L. Yeshwanth Chavan said.

“BMRCL has already issued tenders for the completion of station work on CMH Road and in Byappanahalli. Contractors have been directed to complete work on the erecting of pillars and laying of track for the first stage between Byappanahalli and M.

Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium by December 2010,” he said.

The project has been entrusted to the IVRCLCR18G consortium that has been asked to complete the project by October 2010. “BMRCL has been reviewing the work regularly. The project stalled for a while and we cannot afford any further delays,” said Mr Chavan.

Metro stations on CMH Road and in Byappanahalli and the laying of track have been planned at an estimated cost of Rs 92.3 crore and the contractors have been given a deadline of 22 months, Mr Chavan added.