Metro project moving forward

Metro project moving forward
S Praveen Dhaneshkar, DH News Service, Bangalore:
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) board that met here on Saturday has outlined priorities to ensure that the elevated stretch of the 'Namma Metro' project is completed by December 2010.
Giving details of the progress of the project after inspection of the works on Reach One (Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium to Byappanahalli) here, Dr M Ramachandran, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development (GoI) and Chairman, BMRCL told Deccan Herald the project is on stream with various major contract works awarded during the board meeting.
These also include construction of six elevated metro stations on this reach.
“We are hopeful to have the train up and running as per the deadlines. BMRCL has also taken a decision to inform the public well in advance on the traffic diversion wherever the metro construction is being done. Instructions have also been given not to allow the ‘Namma Metro’ barricades to be used for posters during the time of elections,” he detailed.
The BMRCL chairman also said the general elections to be held in April would not affect or come in the way of the project progressing forward.
“The elevated stretch that began in January 2007 will be completed in five years as scheduled. While Reach 1 would be operational in December 2010, Reaches 2 and 3 will be completed in the period June-September 2011 and Reach 4 between June-September 2012. PSU major Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) that has been awarded contracts for rolling stock (coaches) for the metro will also deliver them in 2010,” added Dr Ramachandran.
Contracts awarded
Tenders to begin construction of three stations viz Mysore Road, Deepanjali Nagar (Reach 2), three metro stations in Malleswaram, stations at Toll Gate and Hosahalli, Vijayanagar and Mahakavi Kuvempu Road in Rajajinagar (Reach 3) have also been awarded. Construction for these would begin shortly.