The High Court order to the state government to shift Ambedkar statue installed in front of Vidhana Soudha within 15 days could not have come at a better time.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), that has been at loggerheads with various organisations and groups for the last eight months over shifting the statue, can now proceed with the work on this stretch.
Sources in the BMRCL say the delay caused in the last eight months is estimated to be running into several lakhs of rupees per day.
To avoid further losses, the BMRCL has taken an angular diversion from the statue towards the gate of Vidhana Soudha. “The first tunnel boring machine (TBM) Helen is just 45 metres away from Vidhana Soudha,” BMRCL Managing Director N Sivasailam had announced earlier this week. The BMRCL is still awaiting orders on starting blasting and boring activities.
“This has been a sensitive issue for a while now. We are awaiting orders to start the work on this specific stretch and once we receive the orders, we will discuss the future course of action,” said BMRCL spokesperson Yashwanth Chavan.
The Metro rail corporation has been tight-lipped about the increased expenditure due to the change in construction plan midway through the 18.10-km East-West Corridor.
Following the HC’s order, Helen will now reach the Vidhana Soudha station within the next 15 days.
Sivasailam said: “Construction in the area is already under way, although slowly. The PWD shifted the two other statues. (But) We will certainly do it (remove Ambedkar statue) if asked by the PWD.”
However, construction works were in full swing near Vidhan Souda Metro station late on Thursday night.