The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has decided not to acquire land for property development while executing Namma Metro Phase 2.

The decision is among the measures being taken to cut down the project cost, which was estimated at Rs 26,405 crore at the 2011 rates.

The Corporation had estimated that about 2,000 properties spread over 200 hectares of land would be required for the 72 km Phase 2, for construction of four extension lines of the East-West and North-South corridors of Phase 1 and two new lines.

Acquisition would be restricted for lands required for viaduct and stations alone.

2-level stations

Another important decision taken to bring down the land requirement and project cost was to construct two-level elevated stations instead of the three-level stations constructed on Phase 1. Ground floors of elevated stations on Phase 1 have passenger amenities and some commercial space, first floors are used for passenger concourse and the second floors have train platforms.

Reduction in floor numbers would not only cut down the project cost, but would also require lesser land even as the ground floor was felt sufficient to house all passenger amenities and concourse facilities. 

Phase 2 costs

With the conservative 5 per cent increase in the project cost every year, the cost of Phase 2 is likely to cross Rs 30,000 crore when project implementation begins in a few months. The Centre, a partner in Namma Metro, will bear the cost escalation only if it is due to increase in Central duties and cess. Cost escalation for any other reason including delay, will have to be borne by the State government and hence this decision by BMRCL.

Asked about the exact land requirement after these two exercises, the official said it was difficult to quantify the same at present. However, it would definitely be lesser than the estimated 200 hectares, he said. 

Consultant appointed

BMRCL has appointed Jones Lang LasSalle as the consultant to assist the Land Committee headed by retired IAS officer C. Krishnappa to determine the market value of the properties to be acquired. The consultant would assess the market value and help the committee to fix the compensation amount, he said.

The official said the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), which is acquiring lands for Namma Metro, has already issued three preliminary notifications. The first one is for 24 hectares of private and three hectares of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) land for the Mysore Road Terminal-Kengeri line. 

Another notification is for 7.8 hectares of private land between Byappanahali and Mahadevapura on the Byappanahalli-Whitefield sector. One more notification is issued for 1 hectare of land for construction of Ragigudda and Central Silk Board Stations on the R.V. Road Terminal-Bommasandra line.

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