Silk Board-KR Puram Metro DPR out; project to be ready by 2020

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has uploaded a 267-page detailed project report (DPR) for the elevated Metro corridor on the Outer Ring Road between Central Silk Board and Krishnarajapuram. The actual work on the ground would, however, start in 2017.

For the first time, BMRCL is hoping to mobilise roughly about Rs 1,100 crore through innovative financing techniques. Consisting of 13 stations, the entire project is estimated to cost Rs 4,202 crore.

Armed with a minimal requirement of land, BMRCL expects to finish the construction by 2020. “A provision has been made to extend this line to Hebbal and this extension would connect to the airport line which is expected to run from Nagawara,” the DPR underlines.

The elevated alignment generally passes on the median of the road and the station is also proposed above the road with entries planned on service roads. The ground level has been proposed for parking/ancillary structures and space for movement of commuters. A plaza has been proposed in front of the station for pedestrian movement, facilities for parking for private vehicles and public transport.

The project report notes the ORR has approximately 40 million square feet of commercial space which is 32% of the entire commercial office stock in Bengaluru.

There are 8 lakh commuters on ORR daily with 18,750 average vehicles per hour and 2 km queue lengths during peak hours. In the beginning, it has also proposed to designate Baiyappanahalli depot for maintenance and repair of trains for the Silk Board-KR Puram line. In the latter stage, BMRCL is planning to create a full-fledged separate maintenance depot at Kadugodi to cater to operational and maintenance requirements for the East-West corridor.

Innovative funding
This time, BMRCL is making an attempt to capture the increase in the value of land and other properties which fall within the vicinity of the Metro line. While innovative financing is expected to yield about Rs 1,100 crore, the state government may contribute Rs 500 crore over the next three years. BMRCL would also mobilise Rs 500 crore by long-term lease of its lands which have commercial potential. The balance Rs 2,100 crore would be borrowed,” the project report notes. “The above situation may change in case the contribution from innovative financing is not on expected lines. In such cases, the gap would have to be filled up by increasing the borrowings,” noted.

Suggestions
BMRCL has welcomed suggestions from the public on the DPR. Mail them to [e-mail] or [e-mail] before November 30.