Metro Rail News conducted an email interview with Mr. Anjum Parvez, Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). In Which Mr. Parvez shared his views on the role of metros in a high-tech city like Bangalore and recent developments.
Here are edited excerpts:
What is the status of the purple line extension? Have the bottlenecks for the elevated line between Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield been sorted out?
BMRCL is putting all its efforts into commissioning this line by this year-end.
What is the work status of construction works on phase 3? It’s been more than six years since the total route length for the corridor has been planned and ascertained. Why is the delay then? What would be the expected deadline for completion of phase-3 works?
After approval of the State Government in December 2021 for study and preparation of Phase-3 DPR by M/s RITES has been completed and is under scrutiny by BMRCL. The same will be submitted for approval to the State Government and forwarded the submittal to the Government of India for its approval. Construction works will be started only after the approval of the Governments.
Please give updates on the proposed Sarjapur-Hebbal line. What is the work progress for the construction of an integrated metro station at Iblur on the outer ring road?
After the approval of the Government of Karnataka for the preparation of DPR from Sarjapur to Hebbal line of 35.14 km in the first quarter of this year, a tender was called for the preparation of DPR and the same has been recently awarded. The details for integration will be studied after the submission of DPR by the consultants.
Do you think putting the Calmelaram – Yelahanka line into the sideline, proposed almost 8-9 years back has been a righteous decision for BMRCL. What has been the reason for rejecting the economically viable section and what have been the suitable alternatives envisaged?
The reply for Q 3 is in line with the Comprehensive Mobility plan for Bangalore city for the year 2031 and covers the above areas in the proposed DPR for Sarjapur to Hebbal line.
What is the status of supply of rolling stock for metro operations. Amidst orders to Chinese CRRC Corporation Ltd. for supply of more than 200 new coaches how would you substantiate the Make in India campaign?
The Contract awarded is for manufacturing under Make in India policy with 50 % local content. Due to constraints in obtaining statutory approvals required for setting up a Metro Coach factory in 45 acres of land at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh on lease. Now the local manufacturing is done at Titagarh Wagons Limited, Kolkata, India. It is expected that the roll out of the first train set will have in the second quarter of 2023 and the remaining Train Sets will follow, at the rate of two Train Sets per month.
What in your opinion the newly proposed BSRP, Peripheral Ring Road, Hyperloop, MetroNeo, Metrolite etc. would bring changes to transport scenario in Bengaluru. Do you think it would prove to be a milestone toward the modern transport system being developed in the country?
Every system has its own advantages. With their feasibility in the areas implemented would definitely help in bringing more people to adopt to use the public transport.
K-RIDE is the implementing agency for BSRP. Further commuter rail would be integrated with other modes of transport for seamless transfer between modes – as in European cities. What is the work plan for BMRCL in this regard. For intermodal and last mile connectivity which major new routes and line have been identified?
BMRCL work plan is to integrate the metro stations with the proposed Sub Urban Rail network stations which is in close proximity (Upto 700-800m) with the Metro Stations. Some of the plans are to construct Foot over Bridges connecting the metro stations (existing/proposed) with the Suburban with existing Metro Stations at Baiyappanahalli, Nayandahalli, Jnana Bharathi, Pattanagere, Yeshwantpur, Mantri Square, Majestic and with the proposed Metro Stations at Whitefield, K R Puram, Benniganahalli, Cantonment, Marathahalli, Doddanekundi, Kasthurinagar, Hebbal etc,.
For intermodal connectivity, all the stations of Phase 2A and 2B (Central Silk Board to Airport) are proposed to have Multimodal Integration facilities wherever multiple modes are in close proximity to each other. Further, in terms of Last mile connectivity, the feeder bus routes along Phase 2A and 2B are yet to be formulated.
