Land acquisition for Metro phase II faces poll hurdle

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is ready with the land acquisition plan for executing phase II of the Namma Metro project. 

However, the model code of conduct for the elections has come in the way of the notification and tendering process, which may have to wait till May second week.

BMRCL officials said they had written to the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), asking it to issue preliminary notification for the acquisition of land necessary for the construction of corridors. 

However, KIADB is not in a position to do so as no fresh tenders can be floated with the code of conduct in place, said an official. 

Sources in KIADB said they had written to the Election Commission in this regard and they were awaiting response.

Phase II includes four extension lines and two new lines with a total length of 72 km, to be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 26,405 crore. 

Properties identified

The BMRCL has identified a total of 941 immovable properties (both private and public) along the alignment of the project corridors under phase II. 

While 151 properties have been identified along the 15.5-km line from Baiyyappanahalli to Whitefield, for the 6.45-km line between Mysore Road terminal to Kengeri, there are 57 properties. 

For the 3.77-km line between Hesaraghatta Cross and BIEC along Tumkur Road, the number is 32. For the 6.29-km line between Puttenahalli Cross and Anjanapura, it is 71. 

For the 18.82-km line from R V Road to Bommasandra, it is 212; and for the 21.25-km Gottigere-IIMB-Nagavara line, the number is 418.

Needed connectivity

Once both the phases of Namma Metro are complete, they will provide connectivity from Majestic to Whitefield in the East, Kengeri in the West, BIEC along Tumkur Road in the North and Anjanapura Township in the South. 

Also, two new lanes under phase II from Jayanagar to Electronics City and Nagavara to Gottigere are expected. While phase I is expected to be operational by the end of 2014, phase II is expected to be completed by 2017-18.