Metro will crisscross Bangalore by 2013

All work on the first phase of Namma Metro would be completed by March 2013, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said on Thursday. He was attending the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Sampige Road metro station in Malleswaram.

“This is the first metro station that will be constructed under a public-private partnership model with Mantri Infrastructure Private Limited,” Yeddyurappa said.

The station would incorporate some unique features like a concourse in the ground floor and a platform at the first floor. “The concourse will have an arterial interface and will connect to Mantri Mall, to feeder bus stations and also other commercial buildings that would come up around the station,” said a senior official with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).

BMRCL had acquired five acres and four guntas for the station. Under the PPP arrangement, the land would be provided free of cost to Mantri to construct the station. “In compensation, the private partner has the right to use the space surrounding the station, following safety norms, for a period of 99 years. The BMRCL is entitled to a share of 1-5% of the revenue,” an official said.

The official added that a commercial complex would be constructed around the station that would measure about 80,000 sq ft. There would also be parking space for 2,000 cars. A commercial tower measuring eight lakh square feet would also be constructed above the metro station. “The land will belong to BMRCL, but Mantri will spend Rs30 crore to develop the station and a commercial tower above it,” the official said.

Yeddyurappa added that the 7-km Reach 1 of the metro rail from Byappanahalli to the cricket stadium would be ready by this December. Not letting go of an opportunity to praise his party, he said that prior to the BJP coming to power, work on the metro project was being executed at a pace of 1% of the targeted pace. But after his government took over the reins, the project speed had shot up to 25%, he said.