The Hindu : Soil testing begins for Metro Rail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 31, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Soil testing begins for Metro Rail

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore Dec. 30. With the Bangalore Metro Rail project work set to be launched in March, Bangalore Mass Rapid Transport Ltd. (BMRTL) has taken up soil testing at various places in the planned route.

Soil tests would be important because the 33-km. railway line would be partly on surface, partly underground, and partly elevated.

According to the plan, 6.7-km. of the route, mostly between city station and Mysore Road, is to be underground with twin tunnels for the trains to run.

In a presentation made two weeks ago, A.P. Joshi, Managing Director of BMRTL, said lenders had been lined up for the loan component of the Rs. 2,338-crore project. The Government of India had cleared its Rs. 899 crore equity. The State Government's share would be Rs. 1,979 crore and the draft MoU to be signed by the State and the Centre was in Delhi.

The basic planning for the project was inspired by the Delhi Metro model with similar coaches and 32 stations on the North-South and East-West corridors. Some stations would be underground and the one near the Kempe Gowda Bus Station would be common to both corridors and an inter-change station.

The Bangalore project had the advantage that only 18.9 hectares of private land had to be acquired. Rest of the land required belonged to the State Government or the Defence authorities, Mr. Joshi added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Soil testing begins for Metro Rail

Site for scientific landfills ready

Economic policies of NDA Govt. draw flak

Uniform only after councillors approve: Mayor

1,500 doctors to attend `Arogyamela'

Elegant bungalows make way for towering complexes