BMRCL has changed the location of the Anjanapura depot after a row over its original proposal to build the depot in Bhuthanahalli reserve forest land, which has been identified as a prime elephant corridor.
The Forest Department had strongly objected to BMRCL’s proposal to build a depot on 6.33 hectares of land in survey numbers 124 and 126. The chief secretary had to intervene on the issue following which a new patch of land near NICE Road has been identified.
“We have now sorted out the issue. The Forest Department has given an in-principle approval for acquiring land for the depot next to NICE Road. Since acquiring forest land will create problems, we have identified private land of 15 to 20 acres on the right hand side of Kanakapura Road,” he said.
According to the new plan, the depot will come up at the corner near the intersection of Nice Road and Thalaghatpura Main Road (Pipe Line Road). “After crossing the NICE Road junction, the Metro line will will reverse and run for nearly a kilometre to reach the depot.
We are acquiring only two acres of forest land to build tracks on the edge of the forest from Kanakapura Road to the intersection,” he said.
Kharola noted that the depot will be cover about 15 acres and will not have facilities for major overhauls. “The depot will basically serve as a stabling line and for smaller maintenance works. We have Peenya depot on the same line in the opposite direction which will take care of major repairs,” he said.
The depot will be built by December 2018.
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