Metro edges on in east; focus on rest

The long-felt need of metro rail for the bustling capital is all set to be realised soon. Of the total length of 42.30 km in the first phase, the work on Reach-1 from Byappanahalli to MG Road is ready for commercial operation.

The benefit of the mass transport project could be reaped in full only after the tracks extend in all the four directions from Majestic and Vidhana Soudha. According to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, Metro will be operational on all the reaches by March 2013 . Reaches 3, 3A and 3B extending from Swastik Circle to Yeshwantpur and to Hesaraghatta Cross are expected to become operational by December 2012. The first underground section (UG-1) from Swastik to KR Road entrance; second underground stretch (UG-2) from Minsk Square to Magadi Road entrance; Reach-2 from Magadi Road to Nayandahalli and Reaches 4, 4A on KR Road-South End Circle-Banashankari-Puttenahalli route are expected to be completed by the end of March 2013. A total of eight stations are planned in the underground stretch - three in north-south corridor and five in east-west corridor. Two stations are planned at Majestic in the form of a cross and the tender work for these stations is yet to be completed. The work on the rest of the six stations has begun. Drilling tunnel from Majestic to Vidhana Soudha is underway and the first tunnel has been dug for a length of about 330 metre while a distance of 50 metre has been covered in the second tunnel. The work on construction of pillars to support viaducts for the elevated stretch on Reaches 2, 3, 3A, 3B, 4 and 4A is in the final stage. Half the work on construction of stations too has been completed. Track laying, power supply infrastructure, and installation of signal system have to be carried out in the later stages. Metro has two depots as of now - one at Byappanahalli and another at Peenya. Depots are a necessary infrastructure for smooth operation of the Metro. The BMRCL plans to operationalise Reach-3 after the commercial operations begin on Reach-1. Tracking the tracks Reach-1: Connects Byappanahalli with M G Road; cleared for commercial operations. Reach-2: Connects Magadi Road with Mysore Road; 177 out of 242 pillars for elevated stretch ready; 77 per cent of viaduct work completed; 99 per cent of foundation work of stations completed; placing cement beams for first floor and platforms in progress. Reach-3: Connects Yeshwanthpur with Swastik station in Malleswaram; 165 pillars out of 205 constructed; viaduct work connecting 106 pillars completed; 50 per cent of work on stations over. Reach-3A: Connects Yeshwanthpur with Peenya Depot; Of the 215 pillars, 80 are ready, viaduct to link 45 pillars are ready; construction work of stations has begun Reach-4: Connects K R Market with R V Road; 145 out of 147 pillars ready; viaduct work connecting 104 pillars completed; 80 per cent of K R Road station; 74 per cent of Lalbagh station; 65 per cent of Jayanagar station and 64 per cent of R V Road station work completed. Reach-4A: Connects R V Road with Puttenahalli; construction of 51 out of 141 pillars completed; work on viaduct connecting 18 pillars completed; Work on stations on the reach under progress. Underground stretch UG-1: Swastik to KR Market -  Work on two stations has begun; tunnel drilling yet to commence UG-2: Minsk Square to Magadi Road entrance - Work on one station, tunnel boring in progress Total distance in first phase 42.30 km *  6.7-km stretch in first phase ready for commercial operation *  All routes expected to be operational by March 2013 ‘Metro could be Deepavali gift’ Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said on Saturday that with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) getting final clearance for operating the Metro rail on Reach-1, the government was hoping to inaugurate the service during Deepavali as a gift to Bangaloreans. The government is keen on getting the service inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “The State has sought his appointment. His office is yet to respond. A senior minister from the State will be appointed to co-ordinate with the Prime Minister’s office to get Singh’s appointment,” Gowda said.