Plan for Metro phase 2 by Aug

Plan for Metro phase 2 by Aug
S Praveen Dhaneshkar, Bangalore, DH News Service:
Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 12:00 [IST]

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is going ahead with phase 2 of the project, progress being made in phase 1 notwithstanding.


Sources in ‘Namma Metro’ said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) being done by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will be ready by August 2009. “In phase 2, the Metro alignment will be extended from Puttenahalli Cross to the NICE expressway.
Sanction/Approval for it is expected from the Centre and State in 2010.

Ridership survey

The DMRC is evaluating traffic density and conducting ridership survey at present. It will be submitted to BMRCL in August” informed highly placed sources.

BMRCL has already extended the Metro corridor by 9 km, from the original 33 km by including Hesaraghatta Cross to Yeshwantpur in the North Extension (5.6 kms) and connecting Puttenahalli to the R V Road Terminal in the South Extension (3.7 kms).

Once operational, the Peenya depot will cater to the train on North-South corridor while the Baiyappanahalli depot will house the train operating on the East-West corridor for maintenance, overhaul and night halt facilities.

Extension granted

Meanwhile, the BMRCL board that met in New Delhi recently has granted an extension to PSU major BEML Limited (formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited) for signing of the contract agreement for supply of rolling stock (train coach).

The revised date is May 13. Rotem and Mitsubishi were part of the consortium.

Deadline set

BMRCL had set a deadline of April 2 to sign the agreement. But, the PSU major failed to do so, resulting in BMRCL extending the last date to April 22.

“Again BEML Limited failed to adhere to deadline and sought an extension upto May 13. If they do not sign the contract by May 13, we will initiate legal action against the defaulter as per the contract” added sources in BMRCL.