The acquisition of properties are key to fast track the airport Metro line which connects Outer Ring Road to Kempegowda International Airport. A total of 274 properties are required for execution of this project. Out of this, 214 are private and the rest are government.
While the BMRCL has been able to acquire 224 properties (175 private and 49 government), it is yet to acquire 49 (38 private and 11 government) properties. Sources said that once these properties are acquired, then the entire project will be fast tracked.
The airport lines have been categorised as phase 2B (38-kilometres of Airport Line) connecting K R Puram to Kempegowda International Airport). Out of 2,22,404.17 sqm required for viaduct and stations for this line 2,10,730.80 sqm is acquired and 2,09,784.65 sqm is handed over to the engineering section. The payment of compensation for the remaining area is under progress. In another key project, out of 23 acres of land required for depot at Shettigere, 18 acres of land have been transferred by the State Government and are handed over to the BMRCL.
The remaining five acres of land is under litigation and is pending with the Special Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban District for passing of orders. However, the BMRCL has requested the State Government for transfer of 4-34 acre of land adjacent to 18 acres already granted for the depot. The proposal is now pending with the Deputy Commissioner.
Overall, in other stretches, 49 properties are yet to be acquired. As per the latest BMRCL newsletter, in Reach-6–(22- kilometre new line–Kalena Agrahara to IIMB To Nagawara) lands required for elevated and underground stretch from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara are acquired and handed over to the engineering section. An extent of 32.6 acres of land required for Kothanur Depot is acquired and handed over to the engineering section. Notification for an additional area of 582.25 sqm for viaduct and 157.10 sqm in underground for Nagawara Metro Station and 883.00 sqm required for RMS Station has been published in the gazette.
Though the Reach-3C–Extension is just 3 km long (Nagasandra to Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre), the project is dragging beyond deadline. Now, BMRCL officials say that all the lands required for this reach are acquired and handed over to the engineering section.
Acquisition of additional area of 1885.11 sqm for providing road links to Chikkabidarakallu Metro Station from Anchepalya and other villages via Jindal-Prestige Layout has been set aside by the High Court. An appeal against this order has already been filed in High court.
In 18.5 kilometre reach-5–(New Line-RV Road To Bommasandra, out of 3,09,379.97 sqm required, 3,08,232.00 sqm has been acquired and handed over to the engineering section. A final notification for acquisition of an additional area of 1147.97 sqm has been approved by the Government and the Land Committee report is awaited.
Work in progress
While Whitefield and Electronics City road works are seeing a brisk pace, the Swagath cross work is limping. According to the latest report, Hosa Road to Bommanahalli stretch has been completed while Swagath road cross has seen just 30 per cent completion.
