Metro phase II gathers pace

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is busy preparing the ground for phase II of Namma Metro, even as the State government awaits the Centre’s clearance of the last set of documents. 

The detailed project report (DPR) for phase II has already been approved. BMRCL sources told Deccan Herald that the designs for viaducts and stations under various stretches of phase II were expected by September 2012. “We have already floated tenders for Detailed Design Consultancy (DDC) Services for construction of viaducts and also extension of stations under reaches of phase-I. Recently, we made minor changes to eligibility criteria for agencies under qualifying requirements for DDC for Reach 5 (RV Road station to Bommasandra station). We are expecting the designs for stations by September and the ground work for phase II is expected to begin by the end of September 2012,” said a senior BMRCL official. 

Another BMRCL official said geo-technical strength testing began recently on the Mysore Road stretch, with the corridor being extended from Nayandahalli to Kengeri under phase II. 

Metro Phase II, which includes four extension lines and two new lines with a total length of 72 km, is estimated to cost Rs 26,405 crore. Phase II is expected to be completed by 2017-18. Once both phases of Namma Metro are complete, there will be smooth 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, namely from Jayanagar to Electronics City and Nagavara to Gottigere are expected to prove useful. 

Unlike phase-I, the second phase of Namma Metro will come with a speciality, in terms of electrification. While the electrification for all the corridors of phase-I is through the ‘third rail system’ (wherein electrical supply runs next to the track), the Metro stretch between IIMB and Nagavara in phase II will have overhead electrified network, with electrical lines installed overhead. “We have decided to go for overhead electrical system on this stretch as it will have a 15-km tunnel,” said an official.