DMRCL favours govt agency for Metro phase II

Sources close to the development said that both the Centre and the State government have agreed to the suggestion. The State government is all set to go ahead with the phase II of the Namma Metro project involving a route network of 72.1 km, sources said. The DPR is likely to be cleared in the next Cabinet meeting following which it would be sent to the Centre for clearance.

The BMRCL has begun mobilisation of resources, acquisition of land and other planning activity to avoid initial hiccup that was witnessed while launching work on phase I of the project with a route network of 42.3-km. The DPR estimates the cost of Phase II at around Rs 21,000 crore. The stretch will have about 69 stations.

Under Phase II, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) also intends to extend the reach of routes under Phase I to the periphery of the City.

The DPR recommends that the network on the East-West Corridor of phase I could be extended up to Whitefield from the existing terminating point at Byappanahalli on the East (15.5 km) and up to Kengeri from the present terminating point at Mysore Road Terminal near Nayandahalli on the West (6.5 km).

Also, it suggests that the network could be extended up to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre from Hessarghatta Cross (3.8 km) on the North and up to Anjanapura Township from Puttenahalli Cross on the South (6.3 km).

Besides, it recommends a new trunk line between Gottigere and Nagavara passing through the Indian Institute of Management and Dairy Circle from where it goes underground via Hosur Road, Madiwala, Vellara Junction, Brigade Road, Cauvery Emporium Junction,­ Kamaraja Road, Cantonment Railway Station, Tannery Road and Outer Ring Road Junction.