The Hindu : Karnataka News : Standoff delays metro work around city railway station

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Thursday, Jun 23, 2011
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Standoff delays metro work around city railway station

AT A STANDSTILL:As a result of the face-off, a similar tunnel boring machine shaft is yet to be sunk near the City Railway Station.

Differences of opinion between the Railways and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), over underground tunnelling and station construction around the Bangalore City Railway Station appear to have come in the way of commencement of the work.

While the Railways has been demanding restoration of roads within the railway property, clearing clogged drains and offering adequate security to railway quarters, BMRCL has been insisting it has paid Rs. 98 crore licence fee to utilise the railway land and its obligation ends there.

On railway property

The underground tunnel of the East-West Corridor of Namma Metro passes through the city railway station. One metro station (city railway station) will be located within the railway property (near the second entry from the Okalipuram side).

The up-ramp of the tunnel towards Magadi Road surfaces near the Mahatma Gandhi Railway Colony, while the tunnel boring machine shaft has to be sunk near the Supervisor Training Centre of the Railways.

BMRCL spokesperson told The Hindu that the Railways is not allowing the corporation to go ahead with the work despite receiving the lease rental.

He said BMRCL also has got new quarters constructed at a cost of Rs. 14 crore in lieu of those got demolished for underground metro construction and blamed the delay on the Railways. BMRCL has been providing adequate security to the railway property and personnel, he added.

‘Not enough'

However, Sudhanshu Mani, Divisional Railway Manager of South Western Railway, Bangalore Division, said that the lease rental was only towards prolonged use of the Railways land.

This payment should not come in the way of safety and security of railway property and personnel as well as restoring damaged property, he said.

“BMRCL should ensure that the damaged roads are restored, clogged drains cleared and adequate security provided to the residents of railway quarters,” he said.

There is the possibility of miscreants entering railway property because of the proposed and ongoing work of BMRCL, he said.

Mr. Mani said BMRCL could resume the work only after giving a clear commitment on the demands of the Railways.

BMRCL spokesperson said that the corporation has sought the intervention of the South Western Railway General Manager, Hubli, to sort out the issue.

ANIL KUMAR SASTRY

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