THE TRACKDOWN BEGINS...

THE TRACKDOWN BEGINS...
From Station Work To Recruiting Staff — Here’s A Peep Into How Much Work Is Left In The Much-Awaited Metro Project Before It Is Finally On Track
Aarthi R | TNN

Bangalore: Just 12 spans to go. Almost all civil work is complete. Months ahead are crucial for Bangalore Metro, particularly for the pilot leg of Reach 1 that extends from Byappanahalli to M G Road. Here’s a quick look into what is left and what’s not
STATIONS IN SYSTEM
If all goes as planned, by August-end, the first three stations along this stretch — at Trinity Circle, M G Road and Byappanahalli — will be supplied with power and connected by signals. “We are in talks with Bescom. They have agreed. Work on this will commence in 15 days. CMH Road station will be the last point for the systems work,’’ BMRC MD N Sivasailam said. At present, over 53% of station work is complete along Reach 1.
ESCALATORS & STAIRS
Yet another priority for this month are staircases which have to be laid at all Metro stations. Testing for escalators is also being finalized. By September-end, six escalators will be in place at all stations along Reach 1.
TRACK TESTING
Metro’s first test track at Byapppanahalli depot is reaching completion. By September 1, the depot area will be ready for train testing. Track work is progressing along the other stretches of Reach 1. A 1.5-km-long track was completely laid on July 25. The tracks are now visible from Trinity Circle till Webb’s Junction. Another 2-km-long track is expected to be completed by this month-end.
THE METRO FAMILY
The first batch of Metro staff have already been selected. The team is in Delhi for training and expected to be back in Bangalore by Novemberend. “This is four times the requirement for Reach 1. However, we have retained the number to ensure there is enough staff to handle all domains. The next selection process for other reaches will begin in February-March 2011,’’ Sivasailam said.
GOING UNDERGROUND
The tender for East-West corridor has only been cleared. Preparatory work is in progress at various points. The other tender for North-South corridor and Majestic station is under evaluation and will be finalized by September 15. Actual digging work will begin thereafter, probably by December. Tunneling machines are expected to land in by February next year and assembling work will begin by March. REPORT CARD REACH 1
Byappanahallli to M G Road. Work is progressing on schedule. Civil work almost 100% complete. Signal and track work in progress
REACH 2
Magadi Road to Mysore Road. Terminal 30% complete
REACH 3
Yeshwantpur to Peenya.
Construction work has begun; piling work in progress
REACH 4
K R Market to R V Road. 40% complete. After Reach 1, work on this has been the most active