1st leg of Metro Project to become operational in 3 yrs

Bangalore, Mar 10 (UNI) With the Union Government giving final clearance for sanctioning Rs 6,300 crore for the Bangalore Metro Rail Project, the first leg of the metro is likely to become operational between Byappanahalli-Cricket Stadium stretch within three years.

Talking to reporters here, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Managing Director M K Srivathsava said he said the proposal would be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for clearance on March 16.

He said that the BMRCL, without waiting for the appointment of general consultants for the execution of the project, would beging the civil works for the seven km stretch between Byappanahalli and the Cricket Statium soon.

Mr Srivathsava informed that the earth-breaking ceremony would be held in the first week of next month by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. Logo for the mega project would be selected from the over 400 entries received from public and released by the Governor at the Raj Bhavan on March 13.

The BMRCL's corporate office would be inaugurated in the city on March 15, he added.

Mr Shrivathsava said the state government had released to the BMRCL over Rs 492 crore, including Rs 400 crore collected through petrol cess.

He said over 25 companies had participated in the tender for the construction work of elevated portion of the project and the work would awarded within the next two and a half months.

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