State government approves Metro Rail realignment proposal
The cabinet also gave its approval to conduct a feasibility study on the Rs 23,093 crore suburban rail projects in the city
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FollowBengaluru: The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday approved the proposal to change the alignment of the Metro Rail from Krishnarajapuram (KR Puram) to the Kempegowda International Airport, which will increase its length by eight kilometres.
The cabinet also gave its approval to conduct a feasibility study on the Rs 23,093 crore suburban rail projects in the city.
Briefing reporters, minister for co-operation Bandeppa Kashempur said that these were the government's 'new year gifts' to Bengaluru. The new alignment for the metro rail would begin from KR Puram, via Hebbal Nagawara and then to the KIA.
As per the previous plan, the Metro rail route was an extension of the Gottigere-Nagawara stretch, also known as Reach 6 of Phase II.
The route was supposed to pass through RK Hegde Nagar after Nagawara, without touching Hebbal junction.
The change in alignment would increase the length of Metro Rail from KR Puram to KIA from 29.8 km to 38 km.
Accordingly, the overall cost will go up from Rs 5,950 crore to Rs 10,584 crore, the minister said
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Managing Director Ajay Seth said the train would run through Nagawara, Hebbal, Jakkur and an additional station of Kodigehalli. Nagawara will be the train's intersection.
There will also be non-stop service from Central Silk Board Junction to the airport. The cabinet also approved land acquisition for the project and gave its nod to obtain necessary clearance from the Central government.
A revised financial plan for Metro Phase 2A from Central Silk Board to KR Puram was also cleared. An additional Metro station at Challaghatta was also approved. It will be built at the cost of Rs 140 crore, the minister said.
On the suburban railway corridor, the cabinet gave its nod to the feasibility report that will cover six corridors - KSR Bengaluru to Devanahalli, Vasanthanarasapura-Tumakuru- Byappanahalli, Ramanagara to Jnanabharathi, Whitefield to Bangarpet, Hosur to Doddaballapur and Kengeri to Whitefield.
"The cost of the project at this stage is Rs 23,093 crore, of which the state and the centre will bear 20%, while the balance will be raised through debts," Kashempur said.
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