Metro may run into fresh trouble

Metro may run into fresh trouble
Sandeep Moudgal,DHNews Service,Bangalore:
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) are now engaged in a critical coordination struggle.
Reason: The Palike has begun work on a pedestrian underpass near KR Circle, but BMRCL wants the project to be taken up only after a Metro Rail tunnel is dug at the same spot.

Letters are going back and forth between the two agencies. The BBMP intends to create the pedestrian underpass between M S Building and the BESCOM office on the other side. The Palike wants a crossing on Post Office road that also falls in the alignment of the Metro project.
“We had suggested BBMP that it would be much better if the tunnel was constructed before the underpass was built,” a top BMRCL official told Deccan Herald.

Officials optimistic


According to Metro Rail officials, the tunnel would be 8 to 10 meters below the ground level. It would be under the BBMP underpass, which would require a minimum overhead space of five meters.
With the precast elements for the underpass now being already constructed, it is not sure whether the Metro construction would proceed smoothly through K R Circle. But the Metro officials sounded optimistic. “We do not think that there will be any problem with the Metro tunnel construction.” The underpass is supposed to be three meters of hollow lane.

BBMP commissioner Subramanya said that there had been a round of discussion between BBMP and BMRCL on the issue.

It was ratified that if the BMRCL work was to be carried out, it would be done with care even if the pedestrian underpass was to be created near K R Circle and on Post Office Road.

“We have plans ready and will go ahead as scheduled for the convenience of the people,” he said. Currently the BMRCL is going to invite tenders for the construction of these Metro tunnels and hope to see the work begin by October-November 2009.

Vehicular underpass

Meanwhile, yet another vehicular underpass is being created at KR Circle for traffic from Vidhana Soudha to Nrupathunga Road. The Rs 2.5 crore work on the underpass began on Wednesday with the magic box already being placed. “We should be able to complete the underpass in the next 20 days,” said a BBMP official.