Metro to get delayed further?

Metro to get delayed further?


Monica JhaFirst Published : 02 Apr 2009 08:11:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 02 Apr 2009 09:22:16 AM IST
BANGALORE: The wait has been prolonged. The Metro rail construction work at Vidhana Soudha-High Court area is expected to be delayed by two to three months.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), the implementing agency of the metro rail project, has written to the State government and to the Karnataka High Court that it would start work in the high-profile and hightraffic area.
Earlier, the BMRCL had publicised April 9 as the date for starting work in underground section. The date still holds and the work would start, but only on paper. Only the tender for work would be finalised on April 9.
However, BMRCL maintains that the work is on schedule.
MD, BMRCL, N Sivasailam, said: “Tender for work in underground section was supposed to be finalised on April 9. BMRCL has been waiting for the approval from the government and the High Court. Meanwhile, in anticipation of approval, BMRCL has already floated the tender which has to be finalised on April 9. The valuation of tender is to be sent to the Japan Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC), which is a funding agency (through senior term debt) for the project.” The contractor is expected to be ready for work by May 15 and civil work would start in about a month after that. “If BMRCL doesn’t receive approval from the government and the Court to start work in the Vidhana Soudha area, work on other segments of underground section can start,” Sivasailam said.
Traffic diversion Sivasailam said: “A full-fledged traffic diversion plan for area in the vicinity of the Vidhana Soudha is ready after many rounds of discussions between BMRCL and the traffic police. However, to implement the diversion plan, BMRCL has to lay some new roads, which involves civil work in the vicinity of the Vidhana Soudha and the High Court and hence need the court’s and government’s permission.’’ Sivasailam said that the BMRCL would notify details on the diversions a week before the ground work commences.