KPTCL lays power cables on site marked for metro piers

The BMRCL's failure to coordinate with other agencies is likely to cost crores of rupees to the rail company.

The median strip on Doddaballapur Road it had marked to erect the piers of the Rajanukunte metro line is now being used by the KPTCL to lay power cables.

Tenders for the 220-kV underground line were called in 2016 with December 2017 as the deadline to complete the Rs 229.16-crore project. The power lines would connect the Yelahanka DG (diesel generator) Plant with the substation at Singanayakanahalli, six kilometres away.

Officials said the project had been stalled over a series of issues and had begun only two months ago. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited has been preparing Detailed Project Reports for seven new routes under the Phase 3 expansion, including the Rajanukunte-Kogilu Cross line connecting with the Nagawara-airport line.

A senior BMRCL official said Doddaballapur Road - with its width varying from 16 to 19 metres - is the ideal route for the section, which is likely to be elevated.

"Median strips are the best place to erect pillars without disrupting road traffic and incurring additional land acquisition cost," the official said.

KPTCL vs BMRCL

Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) managing director Jawaid Akhtar said he was not aware of any communication from the BMRCL on its plans to use the median strip. "Our project is crucial to supply power to the city," he said.

Shifting power and utility lines that come in the way of the metro rail construction adds up to the project cost for the BMRCL, which spends Rs 192 crore per kilometre to put up the elevated line. If the agencies fail to communicate on the locations of their future projects, they would end up wasting public money.

BMRCL managing director Mahendra Jain admitted that he was not aware of the KPTCL's project and said he would take up the issue immediately. "Costs apart, shifting the cable and utility lines would take months and delay the project," he said.

Though the BMRCL is yet to conduct a feasibility study for the Rajanukunte line, Jain said he would consult with the officials since it was a possible route.