Title - Metro looks for design consultancy services

The next awaited Phase-2 of Namma Metro project received a thrust at the Global Investors Meet 2012 that concluded recently. This phase of the Metro is still waiting for approval from the Union government, but all indications are that the work would begin this year. A senior officer with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) told Deccan Chronicle: “We have invited tenders for Detailed Design Consultancy services for the construction of viaducts and extension of stations under Phase-1 reaches. We have also invited Detailed Design Consultancy services for viaduct and stations for Reach-6 of Phase-2. We intend to begin the work on Phase-2 soon. The route map has already been designed, and now other works need to get the thrust.”Giving a big boost to Phase-2 of the project, BMRCL has received a `1,800-crore loan from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (Hudco) as an MoU was signed between BMRCL and Hudco at the GIM-2012. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd is also exploring the opportunity of a PPP model for various components of Phase-2. The project, which has been approved by the state government, is an extension of all four reaches of Phase-2.It also includes two new lines, covering 72 km. It is still waiting for clearance from the Union government. BMRCL hopes the project will get the green signal in two months. As a part of their efforts to improve city’s traffic and transport scenario, BMRCL has also invited tenders for Detailed Design Consultancy services to set up an intermodal transit hub at Byapanahalli. Few years down the line, Byappanahalli will become a huge traffic, transit hub with BMTC bus-stand, railway station, and Metro station. Commuter-friendly facilities will be made available at the hub.