Metro’s main workshop cum depot, and the traffic integration hub which would inter-link Metro with other transport systems is proposed to utilise about 84 acres of land at Byappanahalli. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRC) requires 66 acres for establishing Workshop, Depot, Traffic Integration facility, Receiving Sub-station and for approach roads. In addition, KSRTC and BMTC have planned their bus stands and depots in another 9 acres land, each, to support the traffic integration.
BMRC has already taken possession of 25 acres land for the purpose and the first package of works on these lands is scheduled to start from March 20, according to official sources.
However, while BMRC is negotiating to get six more acres soon, major chunk of required land - 53.107 acre - belonging to the New Government Electric Factory (NGEF) is yet to be acquired.
Metro workshop
The Metro workshop will have to provide facilities for carrying out maintenance, repairs and periodical checks of Metro trains. The trains will rest in the Stabling Yards, while they are not on run and undergo daily maintenance here. There will be test tracks and testing facilities for new coaches and engines, and a training centre for Metro workmen, according to official sources.
In two more years, people from Eastern and North-eastern regions of Bangalore may not have to travel on roads beyond Byappanahalli, to reach other parts of city. They can come to Byappanahalli using any other transport and hop on to Metro trains. Metro Traffic Integration Hub will integrate various modes of transport to make it more accessible. According to sources, while existing Byappanahalli railway station will be linked to Metro station, KSRTC and BMTC will build new bus terminals on 18 acres of NGEF land, yet to be acquired. There will be auto-rickshaw and taxi points, vehicle parking lots and pedestrian sub-ways too. Similar traffic hubs are planned at three other locations - Peenya, Banashankari and Mysore Road.
Legal hurdle
While commissioning of Metro Rail, due by March 2010, depends on timely setting up of the Metro Workshop at Byappanahalli, the acquisition of required NGEF land is facing a legal hurdle.
Since NGEF is under liquidation, its assets are vested with Karnataka High Court which is monitoring the liquidation proceedings.
However, the State Government has moved an application seeking permission for acquiring the land for BMRC, KSRTC and BMTC, which is pending adjudication.
Meanwhile, with Court’s permission, BMRC has completed initial soil tests, surveys and estimations on NGEF land also. It has split the works at Byappanahalli into two packages to prevent delay and the first package works on presently available lands is to start on March 20.