Bengaluru metro picks power-efficient system for new line

Detailed Project Report reveals it will have advanced traction system on Phase-II Nagawara-Gottigere route
Bengaluru metro picks power-efficient system for new line

BENGALURU: The new North-South Line of Phase-II will have a more efficient power supply system compared to Phase-I or the other five lines proposed under Phase-II. This has been revealed in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the 21.25-km Nagavara-Gottigere Metro line (Reach-6). Express has gained exclusive access to the DPR prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd that runs into 450-plus pages.

Asked about the reason for keeping the report under wraps despite the State Cabinet approving it in 2014, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola said, “We have a commercial agreement with the Delhi Metro that it would not be made public. So, we are adhering to it.”

As per the report, “This second North-South Line is being proposed with 25 KV traction systems which is more efficient and economical compared with 750 volts Direct Current third rail traction system.” The four extensions of the Phase-I (which form Phase-II) and the Electronic City-Bommasandra Line are all equipped with 750 V DC systems, it adds. The DPR estimated the cost as `8,730 crore for this line. However, the cost was revised to `11,014 crore, making this underground line the costliest of all Metro Reaches in the 72.1 km Phase-II project. It has 18 stations of which six are elevated and the rest underground.

While the traffic projection for the year 2021 is 4.03 lakh, the line is estimated to carry 6.19 lakh passengers in 2041. The alignment, which was made public on July 14 this year, generated much controversy due to the Cantonment station proposed in the DPR across the station being shifted to a playground near Bamboo Bazaar. It continues to be controversial stop with some activists refusing to accept it.

Expert fails to get DPR, to file RTI

Urban transportation expert Sanjeev Dyammanavar has been repeatedly trying to get hold of the DPR and has sent four e-mails to BMRCL requesting for it. A member of Praja.in, an online platform on urban issues, Dyammanavar is very particular that an infrastructure project that affects all needs to be be public. Dyammanavar is now set to file an RTI application over the issue.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com