TimesView The Metro network is supposed to be an artery which relieves pressure on the overcrowded city, where several infrastructure projects are mired in delays. Phase I of Namma Metro has, so far, been a success story, emerging as a hope in the maze of frustrating traffic. That land acquisition blues continue to haunt the project is a matter of concern for every Bengalurean. Success begets success. The authorities must act proactively and clear the bottlenecks forthwith, so that Phase II also remains on the right track.

WILL BE SORTED IN 2 MONTHS: BMRCL

BENGALURU: Following the unparalleled success of Phase 1 of the Namma Metro project, one would have expected Phase 2 to be speeded up.However, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) records reveals land acquisition is still pending in the ongoing work on the six Metro sections under Phase 2.BMRCL sources say the corporation has acquired only a little more than one third the land required for the project and it needs to acquire about 131 hectares and 3,011 properties for the Phase 2. "We have purchased 74 hectares and 1,790 properties so far," a senior BMRCL official said.BMRCL sources say land is yet to be acquired on the Byappanahalli-Jyothipura stretch (Byappanahalli-Whitefield line), Jindal and BIEC stations (Nagasandra to BIEC line), two parcels on NICE Road (Mysuru Road-Kengeri line) and for the Anjanapura depot (Yelachenahalli-Anjanapura Township line). BRMCL is also yet to acquire land for the Hebbagodi depot in the R V Road-Bommasandra corridor, as well as at Singasandra, Hongasandra, Beretena Agrahara and Doddatoguru. On the Gottigere-Dairy Circle line, BMRCL has to acquire additional land for the Konthnur depot. Besides, BMRCL is yet to complete the land acquisition process for the Dairy Circle-Nagawara, Nagawara-Kempegowda International Airport and Silk Board-KR Puram lines.2023 deadline: Except the airport line, Phase 2 is expected to be ready by 2023. Most of the land required is to build stations, viaducts and set up depots to dock and maintain trains. The delay in executing the 72km project has also pushed up costs for the project. Officials say it has increased from Rs 26,405 crore in 2012 to Rs 32,000 crore. "The estimated land acquisition cost alone for Phase 2 has increased from R s 2,000 crore to Rs 6,000 crore," an official said.BMRCL officials are hoping land acquisition issues will be resolved in a couple of months. Officials said Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has already issued preliminary notification under Section 28(1) of the KIADB Act and the government will soon issue a final notification in many pending cases.“We have to acquire about 35,000 sqm of land from Byappanahalli to Jyothipura from 34 properties,” an official said. “KIADB has now initiated payment and the issue will be settled in 15 days. The remaining properties like the 11 acres required for the Anjanapura depot (9.5 acres of private land and 1.5 acres from the forest department) and land in Hebbagodi, Singasandra, Hongasandra, Beretena Agrahara and Doddatoguru and Kothanur will be acquired in another two months. The land between Jindal and BIEC stations will also be acquired shortly"However, officials say it could take time to acquire land from NICE for the Mysuru-Kengeri line. “We have to acquire 403 sqm (in two parcels) from NICE,” an official said. “It was government property that was handed over to NICE for about 30 years, but now talks are on to reacquire it. It could take time to resolve.”