Namma Metro Phase 1 will be completed by September 15, and the geotechnical surveys have been completed for the Phase 2 of the project while discussions are on for Phase 3, according to Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director of BMRCL.
Speaking at the Indiranagar Club here on Thursday, Mr. Kharola said BMRCL was coordinating with the civic agencies in the city for shifting utilities as part of the Phase 2 of the Namma Metro project, and that agencies, including Japan Investment Cooperation Agency (JICA), is being approached for funding the project.
The Centre gave its nod for the Phase 2 of Namma Metro which will see the extension of the four reaches of Phase 1 in addition to two new lines – Jayanagar to Electronic City and Gottigere to Nagawara. While the Namma Metro between Jayanagar and Electronic City will be an elevated line, Gottigere to Nagawara line will be underground and also BMRCL’s most expensive line. “Gottigere to Nagawara line will pass through some of the most congested areas in the city and will approximately cost BMRCL Rs. 8,000 crore,” he said, adding that work on all the lines would be completed in five years.
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On the number of users of Namma Metro, Mr. Kharola said that at present Namma Metro was operating at one-tenth of its capacity. Once all the lines are fully operational, the estimated ridership could be around eight to 10 lakh a day. Chairperson of the Centre for Sustainable Development and the former Chief Secretary A. Ravindra spoke.