BENGALURU (Metro Rail News): The launching of Mysore Road-Kengeri of Bangalore Metro has again postponed further to July in the wake of the rising corona pandemic and the resultant shortage of workers. After inspection made on Thursday at the Kengeri station on this line, the deadline now has been set as July 20 for its inauguration.
As per Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Managing Director Rakesh Singh, “The lockdown in the city, as well as the shortage of labour by 40% during the last two months, has caused some delay. We are planning to open the line by July provided the severity of the pandemic wanes.”
BMRCL is facing shortage of workers and at present, there are only 3,500 workers compared to the workforce requirement of 8,000 workers. Many workers are also not reporting for work in present times as they are unwilling to risk themselves.
“Almost 90 to 95 per cent of the work has been completed in five stations, while 75% work has been completed in one station. Anywhere between June 15 and 20, all works will be completed. We will then apply to the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety,” he added.
This section under Reach 2A/2B (Mysuru Road to Challaghatta) includes 7 elevated stations, namely Nayandahalli, Rajarajeshwari Nagara, and Jnana Bharathi, Pattanagere, Mailasandra, Kengeri Bus Terminal and Challaghatta with total route length of 8.81 km. The last station Challaghatta which lies across NICE Peripheral Road is expected to become operational by March 2022.
The contract for this section of Purple Line western extension is awarded in two parts. Reach 2A section of 3.94 km from Mysuru Road to Pattanagere was awarded to IL&FS Company for four stations at INR 327 crore and Reach 2B from Pattanagere to Challaghatta of 4.86 km to Soma Enterprise at INR 332 crore while Alstom has bag the contract for supply of electrification and signaling works.
Once operational, this section will reduce the travel journey time between Mysuru Road and Kengeri to 15 minutes and with expected daily ridership of 75,000 passengers on this section. This will be the second line under Phase-2 to become operational after the 6.29 km long stretch from Yelachenahalli to Silk Institute became operational on 14 January 2021.
Holy Freak ! I was expecting 21 June… Its Oh.k..