Line to airport hits block

BENGALURU: Namma Metro ’s Phase II work has clogged an already choked road network in several parts of the city. However, those living on the south and southwest margins of the city can expect an early end to their connectivity woes, going by progress of the work.While Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd ( BMRCL ) has officially not revealed the status of work completed on various stretches under Phase II, data sourced by TOI shows two sections — Mysuru Road station to Kengeri and Yelachenahalli to Anjanapura Township — are 81% complete.However, work on other stretches still appears to be at a crawl: Byappanahalli to Whitefield (39%), Nagasandra to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (21%), RV Road to Bommasandra (20%) and Gottigere to Diary Circle (7%). Work is to start on sections like Diary Circle-Nagawara, Nagawara to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) and Silk Board to KR Puram.While BMRCL had earlier set 2020 as the deadline for the 72-km project, it recently extended it to 2023. But going by its earlier track record, it won’t be a surprise if the deadline is extended till 2025.BMRCL had also set a 2020 deadline for completion of extension of three lines: Yelachenahalli to Anjanapura township, Mysuru Road to Kengeri and Nagasandra to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. Nagasandra to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre is unlikely to meet the deadline. Byappanahalli to Whitefield and RV Road to Bommasandra lines are expected to be ready by 2021. Both these lines are crucial, particularly for techies in Whitefield and Electronics City. However, the former, which is an extension line, is likely to be operational first.BMRCL has fixed 2023 as the deadline for Gottigere to Diary Circle, Diary Circle to Nagawara, Nagawara to KIA and Silk Board to KR Puram routes. BMRCL has again floated tenders for the Dairy Circle-Nagawara line after the lowest bid received in the previous tender was Rs 8,553 crore compared to its estimate of Rs 5,047 crore. The tender is expected to be finalized in two months.Tenders are yet to be floated for the Nagawara-KIA line, cash-strapped Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) has emerged as the lowest bidder for the KR Puram-Silk Board corridor, in all three packages. However, BMRCL is yet to take a decision.While the second KIA terminal is expected to be completed by 2021, Namma Metro’s airport connectivity plan has hit a roadblock. Passenger growth at the airport is expected to touch 70 million by 2029 from the present 27 million. But the government is yet to decide on BMRCL’s proposal to change the earlier alignment via RK Hegde Nagar and Jakkur since it passes through a high-pressure petroleum line.BMRCL is now planning to build the airport line via Hebbal and extend the airport Metro line from KR Puram instead of Nagawara. It also has to mobilise funds after the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) rejected the proposal to raise Rs 1,000 crore through user development fee from airport passengers.