Central funding for metro will come with new conditions

The Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Policy is one of the wide-ranging measures that the state government has to implement in Bengaluru if Namma Metro is to qualify for central government funding under the new rules.

The Metro Rail Policy 2017 also mandates that besides the TOD, it is “mandatory” for state governments to implement a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), set up a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) as a statutory body, bring in private investment and integrate different modes of transportation in the city implementing the metro project.

“The state governments shall commit to provide (a) required support to metro rail companies/agencies to ensure financial sustainability during operations,” the metro policy states.

BMRCL Managing Director Ajay Seth said the TOD policy also set the stage for sustainable growth. “The traditional way is to let the city grow and bring policies as a retrofit measure. The combining of mobility and development will encourage competitiveness, besides promoting economic activities. It opens up space for tools like value capture finance,” he explained.

Seth also heads the committee which is drafting the comprehensive mobility plan for Bengaluru, a draft of which is set to be ready in the next few months. But sources in the government said the delay in the Revised Master Plan (RMP) 2031 and the UMTA was a cause for worry. “The Urban Development Department will have a final say in both the policies. The huge number of suggestions to the RMP and the concerns expressed by different departments over the UMTA have caused delays. We will get clarity on the issue once the model code of conduct is lifted,” the source added.

The BMRCL has sought central government funding for the ORR metro line (Phase 2A) which link Central Silk Board junction with KR Puram and the airport line (Phase 2B).

Aims of TOD policy

♦ Double the population density along the transit corridor.

♦ Exempt historical, cultural and environmentally sensitive areas.

♦ Redevelop older areas to enhance population holding.

♦ Relax setbacks and coverage in the TOD zone.

♦ Amalgamate and reconstitute plots for utilisation of higher FSI.

♦ Discourage land banking by levying a vacant land tax.

♦ Promote mixed land use, restrict private vehicle-oriented land use.

♦ Encourage walking, cycling and public transport.

BEML seeks metro coach contract

BEML on Wednesday appealed to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, seeking the contract of manufacturing metro train coaches.

BEML Chairman and Managing Director Deepak Kumar Hota submitted a memorandum to the chief minister, requesting for the contract to make coaches for Namma Metro Phase 2. Noting that the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation has awarded 70% of the train manufacturing work to BEML, Hota said such a contract from the BMRCL would ultimately benefit Karnataka by creating more jobs.

Kumaraswamy told the BMRCL to consider the request and take the necessary decision.