BENGALURU: The Union Finance Ministry recently cleared Bengaluru Metro’s Rs 15,611-crore Phase-3 project, which now awaits the final nod from the Cabinet, said sources.
Simultaneously, the state government has given the green signal to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) to go ahead with the tendering process for the 44.65-km project. But what is holding it back is the new proposal suggested by the state government to construct double-decker flyovers in all upcoming Metro projects, they said.
A senior BMRCL official said, “After the Public Investment Board cleared the project earlier, the Finance Ministry gave its consent recently. Last week, the Centre’s Urban Development Department made a detailed presentation on Phase-3 to the Prime Minister’s Office, to facilitate clearance by the Cabinet.”
Phase-3 comprises two elevated stretches - one runs for 32.15 km and connects JP Nagar Fourth Phase on the western side of Outer Ring Road, while the other line of 12.5 km on Magadi Road connects Hosahalli and Kadabgere. It will have a total of 31 stations.
The state gave its nod for the reduced revised cost of the project (down from Rs 16,328 crore) on March 14 this year and had specified a deadline of 2028.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar earlier this year called for the construction of double-decker flyovers along Metro corridors to ease traffic congestion in the city. BMRCL had already called a tender to conduct a feasibility study to construct such flyovers along three corridors of this phase -- JP Nagar 4th Phase to Hebbal, Hosahalli to Kadabagere of Phase 3 and Sarjapur to Ibbalur at ORR Junction and Agara to Kormanangala which is part of Sarjapur-Hebbal corridor (Phase-3A).
Another official said, “We met top officials of BBMP a month ago and discussed building roads in the level below the upcoming Metro lines. BMRCL will build them, but roads need to be constructed by BBMP. Unless they confirm, it is tough to go ahead with the tendering process. They have not responded yet.”
BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath confirmed the meeting. “We have to work out a pattern where Metro will provide a share of the cost of building roads. The proportion by each agency needs to be worked out. We plan to hold a meeting with the DCM and finalise that soon.”
BMRCL is keen on calling for tenders for the viaduct and station buildings. “Unless we get clarity from BBMP, it is not possible to go ahead. We plan to meet the DCM and present our case,” the official added.
BMRCL said the project has a deadline of 5.5 years from the date of sanction of the project. “However, construction of double-decker flyovers will now push the deadline by one more year,” he said.
Phase-3 is projected to carry a daily average of 9.12 lakh passengers by 2051.