Government nod for metro Phase II soon

Project report for 72.1-km network likely to be approved in the next Cabinet meeting

Even as work on Phase I of Namma Metro is in progress in the city, the Government is set to move on to Phase II.

Sources in the Government told that the detailed project report (DPR) for Phase II was most likely to be approved in the next Cabinet meeting.

This will pave the way for the proposal to be sent to the Union Government for its approval.

Getting ready

With Reach I of Phase I of the metro successfully made operational, and work on other reaches in progress, the Government thought it fit to keep everything ready for the next phase, the sources said. Mobilisation of resources, acquisition of land and detailed planning had to be taken up beforehand for the smooth progress of the project, they added.

Despite suggestions that Phase II should be taken up on a public-private partnership model, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (DMRCL), which has prepared the DPR, has reportedly recommended that the project be taken up only by government agencies. Both the State and Union governments have accepted this suggestion.

Funds

The cost of Phase II has been pegged at around Rs. 21,000 crore for the 72.1-km route network with 69 stations and the rolling stock.

Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, while flagging off the commercial run of Namma Metro Reach I on October 20, promised that the Centre would extend its full support for Phase II. Last week, he said the Union Government was prepared to bear half the cost of the project, including external loans.

Under Phase II, the Government and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. intend to extend the reach of Namma Metro to the periphery of the Bangalore urban agglomeration.

On the east-west corridor, DMRCL, in its DPR, recommends that the Phase I network be extended up to Whitefield from the existing terminating point at Byappanahalli in the east (15.5 km) and up to Kengeri from the terminating point near Nayandahalli on Mysore Road in the west (6.5 km).

Similarly on the north-south corridor, it suggests that the network be extended up to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre from Hessarghatta Cross (3.8 km) in the north and up to Anjanapura township from Puttenahalli Cross in the south (6.3 km).

These extensions would cater to the high passenger potential in the newly developed areas, the report says.

New trunk lines

It also suggests a new trunk line to be constructed between Gottigere on Bannerghatta Road in south Bangalore and Nagavara in east Bangalore (21.2 km). The line will pass through the Indian Institute of Management and Dairy Circle, from where it will go underground via Hosur Road, Vellara junction, Brigade Road, Cauvery Emporium junction, Kamaraja Road, Cantonment Railway Station, Tannery Road and Outer Ring Road junction.

Another branch will be constructed between R.V. Road Station in Jayanagar, which is part of north-south corridor, and Bommasandra Industrial Estate, off Hosur Road (18.8 km). The route will pass via BTM Layout, Central Silk Board junction and Electronics City.