Metro to be on track next year

Metro to be on track next year
Bangalore, Dec 29, DHNS:

Commuters can finally heave a sigh of relief in 2010 as the Bangalore Metro (Reach-1) from Baiyappanahalli to Cricket Stadium is expected to be operational in the new year.

Having waited for three long years, a stretch of ‘Namma Metro’ will finally run in December of next year, on a 7.5 kms route and fulfil the need for a dedicated commuter train for a ever-growing City such as Bangalore.

However, the traffic weary Bangalorean will have to wait upto the end of 2012 or early 2013 for the entire Phase-1 of the project to be completed.

With progress and development, comes a price, states an adage. True to this will be the real test of endurance for motorists in 2010 as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will begin work on the underground stretch in the first half of the new year. Effects of carrying out excavation work from Minsk Square, via Vidhana Soudha, Central College to K R Market is likely be the test of patience as traffic bottlenecks are expected to increase in 2010.

At present, the Rs 8000 plus crore project has achieved 70 percent completion on Reach-1, with the BMRCL expected to begin segment/girder launching work on 100ft Road, CMH Road in Indiranagar and Swami Vivekananda Road, Halasoor in January/February. Track laying work is also expected to begin from M G Road to Old Madras Road in January.
The much awaited rolling stock/passenger coaches of the Namma Metro is expected to arrive from Korea in September of 2010 and would be put on test run, before commissioning in December.