Bangalore Namma Metro Updates

[JhonJ]

Many more stops ahead

Bengaluru’s roads, already heaving under heavy traffic, have become even more congested since the work on the Metro Rail began, with the elevated tracks and massive stations occupying a good amount of space. It may be all worth it if Namma Metro begins operations and the city gets the rapid mass transport system it badly needs to take the pressure off its roads. While the Metro Rail authorities promise to have Phase I completed by December 2013 there is worry that the litigation over land acquisition and various unresolved issues could push the deadline further, leaving the city in the mess it is today for a lot longer.

While the state and Union governments are both stakeholders in the project, sharing its cost on a 50-50 basis, no special concessions are being made for it, which is resulting in delays on various stretches of Phase-1. The state government which can take speedy decisions to tackle issues delaying Namma Metro and help the project pick up pace, is sadly doing nothing of the sort.

For instance work on the underground stretch is proving a problem and has already delayed the project by a few months. While the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) waits for the formal approval from the state government to shift the Dr. Ambedkar statue in the grounds of the Vidhana Soudha, work on the Metro on this stretch is already six months behind schedule. With the shifting of the statue having attracted controversy in the past, the government is clearly reluctant to take a hasty decision on its relocation.

But it may not be possible for the authorities to delay it very long as the statue will have to be shifted before September when the tunnel boring machine from the Metro station at Central College is expected to reach the Vidhana Soudha station, going by BMRCL managing director, N. Sivasailam.

There could be another hold up too. Although the BMRCL assures the lines along Phase-1 will be ready and trains can use the interchange Majestic station by December 2013, they will not be able to halt at this strategic station as the work on completing it could take three or four months more.

Phase 1 problems will not deter Phase 2
The launch of Phase 1 of Namma Metro may still be a long way away but this is unlikely to hold up work on Phase 2. The urban development ministry has assured work will begin on four extensions and two new lines of Phase 2 by the second half of 2012. This phase will see the longest tunnel of the country, covering over 13 kms, pass under some of the busiest localities of the city, including its IT corridors.

Taking note of the delays caused in Phase I, BMRCL has decided to go underground in the more busy areas of the city in the second phase, hoping to avoid problems associated with land acquisition and demolition of structures which have cost too much in the former. “Cost of land acquisition in the busier parts of the city and the IT corridors is very high and so we have opted to go underground in these areas. The tunnel in Phase-2 will be in the 21.25 km Gottigere- Nagavara stretch, which will have 18 stations, six elevated and 11 underground,” says managing director of BMRCL, N. Sivasailam.

Phase-2 is expected to take five years to complete from the date of approval, February 21, 2012. It has been planned mainly to decongest the IT corridors that see heavy traffic on the roads during peak hours. Areas such as those around Central Silk Board, the Bannerghatta Road, and ITPL are expected to see tremendous change in six years when it is ready for operation.

“It will bring about a total transformation of the city’s urban transportation scenario. The Metro network will be capable of carrying 14.80 lakh passengers per day in the year 2017-18 and will considerably reduce traffic congestion,” says a Metro official.

source:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...tops-ahead-232

[mcarling]

It seems obvious that Phase I will not be completed by the end of 2013. I'm hoping it can be completed by the end of 2014, though sometime during 2015 seems more likely.

[strike2]

I may be wrong, but today while going to majestic I could see a lot of equipment inside the barricaded portion along the road leading to KBS, where I could also see a huge circular equipment which might be the 3rd TBM

[vinblr]

See PM now Shreyas

[nishanth.kh9]

In phase 2 rv college to bommasandra line how ill they construct elevated corridor along hosur raod as there exists an elevated expressway

[doc.aneesh]

Originally Posted by strike2

I may be wrong, but today while going to majestic I could see a lot of equipment inside the barricaded portion along the road leading to KBS, where I could also see a huge circular equipment which might be the 3rd TBM

I see a lot of activity... Work is on in full swing... But I don't see anything like a tbm though... where did yoi see it? Maybe I can take a pic

[strike2]

The newly barricaded portion of Platform road? [ the road leading to KBS from Swastik ]
I saw it today morning ..it was definitely big enough to be a TBM...or maybe it was something else don no

[doc.aneesh]

Ok I'm sorry... I'm talking about kempegowda interchange station work...

[BKumar]

Has TBM 2 at central college and TBM 3 at near chinnaswamy stadium started its operation?

[Mohit_King]

image hosted on flickr


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image hosted on flickr

[nandan_ks]

Nice pics,
Same location different angle

[Mohit_King]

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[Mohit_King]

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[Mohit_King]

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[naveen_blr]

Hey Mohit . thanks man nice pics..Between people seem to have frustrated of namma makkala metro that's the pulse around the city that Metro wont finish long time from now :-) 2015/6 may be ? That electrical pole is ugly why cant they put them under the metro beams city would look a bit tidy

[mangalore mania]

I guess the longest span of viaducts between two pillars is not the one running across the railway bridge on Chord Road, I guess its the one across South End junction.
And the it looks like lot of work has been progressed on that stretch connecting National college to Banashankari.. Sadly there is no depot on that stretch

[suraj.shekar]

post 11613: By seeing the short pillars, upward slope of viaduct, railway line and some typical govt quarters in the background, My guess is it is early part of reach 3 just after Swastik station..
@Mohit & nandan: Nice pics.. JMC's finish quality is superb like L&T

[World8115]

High quality pics. Thanks

[Mahesh Nanjunda]

Bangalore’s prime dream of becoming a city of the future with an efficient Metro rail system sadly rides on the shoulders of 600-odd Bangalore Metropolitan Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) construction workers, who are deprived of the required calorie intake in their food even as they slog day and night.

DNA earlier this week scouted Metro sites at Kanakapura Road, Magadi Road and Rajajinagar and spent time with the workers to discover that, in a day, all that an average Metro rail construction worker gets to eat is just three to four rotis (Indian bread) with dal (lentil soup).

Non-vegetarian food is available to them in small quantities just once a week. When this information was put across to dieticians, they said it would amount to not even 2,000 calories a day when they actually need up to 3,500 calories to help sustain the physical work they do on a daily-basis.

Dr Archana Sampath, a wellness physician, said that even workers who manage to meet the daily caloric requirements may be found lacking in getting the adequate micronutrients. The workers require 5-7 rotis per meal in addition to a slew of other energy multipliers like eggs, milk and vegetable salad.

Karthigai Selvi, chief dietician, BGS global hospitals, said, “An average person requires 2,100 calories to be deemed healthy. But this average is different for those in sedentary jobs and in manual or physical work. Metro workers or construction workers require 3,500 calories a day, which is not obtained by having three rotis with dal or some vegetables. They also require high amounts of carbohydrates and primary proteins like milk, eggs and some non-vegetarian food. Dal is considered as second-class protein, which is not enough for being healthy. They will receive enough amounts of amino acids only through animal proteins like milk or eggs.”

Calories are converted into energy in the body. This energy is required for an individual to carry out physical work over long durations. An average male construction worker requires at least 3,500 calories, while a female worker needs 3,000. In a worst-case scenario, inadequate caloric intake among construction workers can cause gallstones and rapid weight loss.

They could also be afflicted by fatigue, dizziness, irritability or fainting spells owing to low blood sugar, anxiety and mental confusion, which could lead to difficulties in completing the job in hand.

“Construction labourers or Metro rail project workers may eat rice or roti, but it should be with dal or sambar or eggs. They lack essential micronutrients like vitamins, calcium and protein. With the prices of vegetables spiralling, it is not possible for them to afford milk or vegetables, which are needed for supplying them with micronutrients,” said Dr Sheela Krishnaswamy, nutritionist, Heinz Nutrition Foundation of India.

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/re...nd-day_1690832

[Mahesh Nanjunda]

The tunnelling work of Namma Metro is progressing at a good pace and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is confident that the tunnel boring machine (TBM) will break through at Vidhana Soudha Metro station by September this year. What is causing worry, though, is the pending issue of shifting the statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar which is necessary for the work to progress but which has become a political hot potato.

Formal approval from the Government of Karnataka to shift the Dr Ambedkar statue in the Vidhana Soudha premises is awaited since 2011. The work in this area is becoming critical and is about seven months behind schedule at this stage. Other works like diversion of traffic on new roads constructed near Vidhana Soudha has happened but the work cannot see real progress unless the statue is shifted. BMRCL, which was quite open to discussions on the issue of shifting the statue, seems to have quietened down due to political pressure.

However, the authorities say that they have made good progress in the tunnelling on the East- West corridor and are reserving their comments on this issue. “Tunnelling has commenced from the Majestic End towards the East. Both tunnelling machines christened have reached Sir M. Visveswaraya Station. Also, preparation to launch the machines on the East end of the stations is nearing completion. Excavation of the launching shaft in Cubbon Road to launch the third TBM is completed. We are estimating the TBM will reach Vidhana Soudha Metro station by September this year and we are hopeful to see progress in the matters that are pending,” said a senior BMRCL official.

After the State Cabinet failed to take a decision on shifting the statue temporarily to a safe place, Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda was to deal with the issue. Owing to pressure from various Dalit groups and fearing a disruption in the law and order scenario in the city, the State Government is unable to come to a decision. Work has thus been halted near Vidhana Soudha. The underground East-West corridor of the Metro stretches for about 5 km and will have four stations - Cubbon Park Station (Minsk Square), Vidhana Soudha Station, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Station (Central College) and Bangalore City Station.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...metro-sept-388