Already behind schedule, two Namma Metro corridors are likely to miss their deadlines yet again. This time, the delay is being attributed to the lockdown-induced exodus of migrant workers from Bengaluru.
While the Kanakapura Road (Yelachenahalli-Anjanapura Township) section, which was supposed to be ready by August, is now expected to be completed by November 2020, the Mysuru Road (Mysuru Road-Challaghatta) corridor, which was to begin commercial operations this October, will be ready only by the first quarter of 2021.
The two extension lines had missed their 2018 deadline for reasons like acquisition of land from NICE and the forest department and the IL&FS crisis.
BMRCL records show 90% of civil work on the Kanakapura Road line — a 6.3km stretch which will have stations at Konankunte Cross, Doddakallasandra, Vajrahalli, Talaghattapura and Anjanapura — has been completed. Sources say it’s likely to be operational by Rajyotsava (November 1).
“Major work, including construction of stations and track-laying, is over. We have invited tenders for security personnel and housekeeping staff. Signalling work and testing are under way and should be completed by September. We will have to conduct trial runs and safety-related inspections before commencing commercial operations,” said a senior BMRCL official.
On the Mysuru Road section, 96% of the civil work has been completed between Mysuru Road and Pattanagere, while 84% is over between Pattanagere and Challaghatta depot. The 6.5km line will have stations at Mysuru Road, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Jnanabharathi, Pattanagere, Mailasandra, Kengeri and Challaghatta.
The corridors are expected to bring relief to thousands of people, especially office-goers from Kengeri and Anjanapura. A BMRCL official said work on the two lines was progressing fast but was delayed due to the lockdown. “Many workers left the city during that time, and contractors are now trying to bring them back,” added the official.
BMRCL has also fixed deadlines for other corridors like Byappanahalli-Whitefield (August 2021), RV Road-Bommasandra (November 2021), Nagasandra-BIEC (January 2022) and Gottigere-Nagawara (June 2024). However, they may also be delayed owing to shortage of workers. TOI had earlier reported that 3,500 of the 9,100 workers employed for Phase 2 had returned to their hometowns in other states.
