Bengaluru: The BMRCL recently received the state cabinet approval to start work on the 29 km Metro route from Nagawara to the Kempegowda International Airport. Once completed by 2021, the Metro is expected to ferry around 80,000 passengers, covering the distance in just 25 minutes. The elevation of Mr Mahendra Jain, Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development Department, as Managing Director has come at a crucial junction for Namma Metro. Mr Jain has full knowledge of the BMRCL’s inner functioning, as he was earlier one of the board of directors of the corporation. Talking to Deccan Chronicle after assuming charge, Mr Jain said that there are several world class facilities that will set this Metro stretch apart from Phase - 1 and 2. Metro bogeys on the stretch will have luggage racks near the entrance and more standing facilities. Also, baggage screening facilities will be made available at MG Road and Kempegowda Metro interchanges. Racing at a speed of up to 90 kmph, Metro promises to provide seamless connectivity from the city centre to the KIA.
Will you take permanent charge as BMRCL’s Managing Director? If not, how long will you hold additional charge?
I cannot comment on taking permanent charge as the state has to take the decision. I am not sure of the time frame for the additional charge either. I could be managing Metro anywhere between a few days to a few weeks.
How will the Metro bogeys on the Airport line be structured in terms of seating and luggage space?
The size of the metro coaches will remain the same. However, we will make internal arrangements for coaches that will run on the Airport Line. There will be fewer seats and the luggage space will be near the entrance of each coach. There will be more space for passengers to stand and place luggage.
How will the check-in and baggage screening be at Metro stations?
The baggage screening facility will be offered to air passengers at MG Road interchange of Phase-2. This will become a future interchange point between Phase-1 Purple Line’s MG Road Metro and Reach 6 of Phase-2 from Gottigere-Nagawara. The second baggage screening facility will be at the Kempegowda interchange, (Majestic) of Phase-1. As for check-in facilities, we are still working out the details.
The DPR for the Airport line approved by the cabinet states that revised costs have to be sent to the Finance Department before funds can be disbursed…
This DPR is tentative at best. BMRCL is undertaking the revision of costs, including any other changes in the DPR. We will go back to the Finance Department for revised Phase-2B DPR approval, after which funds will be released.
As per the Centre’s new Metro Rail Policy, the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) is mandatory. UDD began working on it in August this year. What is the progress?
The draft bill of UMTA has been prepared. Next week, we will have a review meeting and hold discussions with stakeholders. UMTA will help in coordinating between various urban transport agencies. They will aim to achieve multi-modal integration among buses, cabs, Metro, suburban rail, etc under one umbrella organization. We are yet to decide on how to make it a reality. If it is to become an Act, the bill will have to be tabled in the Assembly. It could also be an executive order. Who will constitute it and funding pattern is yet to be finalised. It could either be just a planning body for all other transport modes or also be the organisation that disburses funds to various departments.
There was talk earlier of strengthening of Directorate of Urban Land Transport, in terms of authority, manpower and funds...
DULT is more than equipped to take on the city’s transportation needs. They have the freedom to employ more people depending on the project needs. Fund allocation will also be need based. At present, there are no plans of strengthening DULT.
