The allottees of the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) have demanded metro and suburban rail services to the upcoming layout. As the layout is still in the initial phase of development, the demand comes at an opportune time.
In a letter to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), the allottees have demanded to extend the metro rail service from Kengeri to Chellaghatta. At the moment, the BMRCL’s plan is to have the metro service till Kengeri, under the Reach-2 extension.
In the letter, a copy of which is with DH, the allottees have requested the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the BMRCL to provide rail connectivity to Chellaghatta. The allottees want a station and depot in Chellaghatta, likewise at Baiyapanahalli.
“The proposed Chellaghatta metro station will be connected to Block-5 of the layout. So, it will be ideal to have metro connectivity till here,” said Suryakiran, an allottee.
They have also demanded metro connectivity to the Major Arterial Road (MAR) connecting Mysuru Road to Magadi Road which passes through the layout. This is mainly because five commercial hubs are planned on this road along with many educational institutions.
“The BDA has planned the MAR to be 330 metres wide. It has adequate space on the median for accommodating metro pillars,” said Bharat M, another allottee.
Meanwhile, the allottees are also preparing a report on probable locations of the stations on the MAR, to be submitted to the BDA and BMRCL.
Reacting to this, BMRCL Managing Director Ajay Seth said a proposal was given to government to extend the metro till Chellaghatta. It is still awaiting clearance. But, so far there is no extension plan on the MAR.
The allottees are also drafting a letter to the Union railway minister, Piyush Goel, requesting to provide suburban rail connectivity to Chellaghatta. At present, the service comes to an end at Kengeri. The allottees say, as the tracks already exist, the trains can run as well.
The allottees point out that the layout has been planned for over 40,000 allottees, and is spread over 4000 acres.The layout will be home to over 7.5 lakh people. So, rail connectivity is essential.