If needed, Metro can be extended up to Kanakapura: Pradeep Singh Kharola
Bengaluru: Metro construction along 7 km of Yelachenahalli-Anjanapura extension (Phase-2) was inspected by Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George on Friday. Five upcoming stations, including the one at Anjanapura, and casting yard facility on Reach 4B, were inspected.
Yelachenahalli-Anjanapura
“Civil works are expected to be completed by March and track work will be done by December 2018 on Reach 4B. 15 acres of private land and 2 acres of forest land are needed for the depot and approach road respectively," Mr George said.
“All pillars have been placed until Anjanapura township with 50 percent of civil works completed at the Anjanapura station. In principle approval has been received by the Forest Department and acquisition will begin. The 20 acre depot will take time as we are yet to procure private land. Only Gottigere-Nagawara line is taking time and will start by September-end,” he said. BMRCL MD Pradeep Singh Kharola said, “If needed, the Metro line can be extended in the future towards Kanakapura. All reaches will have two depots. Cleaning, washing, maintenance and inspection of coaches will be done there, with only repairs at Peenya depot.”
Innovative financing
Embassy and Bagmane Tech Park are interested in funding the Metro line, while BMRCL is also discussing with RMZ, Intel and Prestige. BMRCL is yet to reach the Rs 250-crore minimum mark before starting the ground work on ORR line from Silk Board. The central government’s new Metro policy states that private participants, if any, have to pitch in 10% for Metro work. Mr George said this will ease the loan burden.
Airport DPR
“The DPR for the Metro airport line will be given to Chief Minister SIddaramiah and a presentation will be made on the finances and alignment. Civil Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha and KIAL officials met us to discuss the airport line. For land acquisition in Whitefield, we are paying good compensation in cash and companies will agree," Mr Kharola said.
