Amidst various controversies, Namma Metro got a new Managing Director in P S Kharola, who was earlier Chairman, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation.
The transfer comes at a time when BMRCL is being pulled up by the Karnataka High Court with regard to the lack of facilities provided to its labourers, public ire over realignment of the Metro track in Phase 2 at the Jayadeva Hospital and the general lack of transparency with regard to Metro works.
N Sivasailam, former MD has been in BMRCL for the last 62 months. While battling various controversies, Sivasailam has also been credited with the commissioning of Reach 1, ‘returning’ the much loved boulevard on MG Road, property development along the S V Road Metro station with the Bangalore Santhe. Under him, the construction of Phase 1 is nearing completion with Reach 3, 3a likely to be commissioned by the end of this year and the entire phase 1 by mid 2015.
Phase 2 has also received conditional approval by the Union government and geo technical surveys are in progress for various reaches along Phase 2.
Along with meeting the deadline with regard to completion of Phase 1, Pradeep Singh Kharola has various other challenges ahead of him. The realignment of Metro near Jayadeva continues to be an issue and BMRCL has to answer the High Court on the lack of facilities provided to the Metro workers. The lack of transparency in aligning routes, land acquisition troubles for phase 3, etc are some of the challenges he will have to face.
P S Kharola, who will take charge as MD, BMRCL on Monday said he will look
into various issues once he takes charge.