Bengaluru: BMRCL seeks govt permission to open Nagasandra-Madavara metro line

Bengaluru: Namma Metro's Green Line extension is likely to open in the next few days as the BMRCL has asked for dates from senior government ministers to inaugurate the 3.14-km stretch. 

Built at a cost of Rs 298.65 crore, the elevated metro line includes three stations at Manjunath Nagar, Chikkabidarakallu and Madavara. Its opening will expand the Bengaluru metro network to 76.95 km and help alleviate the severe traffic congestion on Tumakuru Road. 

While the line received statutory safety clearance from the Commissioner for Metro Railway Safety (Southern Circle) on October 4, its formal inauguration has been delayed for want of government permissions. 

Since Namma Metro is a joint venture of the state and union governments, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) needs to get approvals from Karnataka's Urban Development Department (UDD) as well as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). 

BMRCL Managing Director M Maheshwar Rao told DH that requisitions were sent to state and union governments last week. "We are waiting (for permissions)," he added. 

A top source in the UDD confirmed the letter from the BMRCL and said the deputy chief minister's office (DCMO) had been requested to give a date for holding the official inauguration. 

"The BMRCL says the line is ready for opening. The inauguration date will be finalised in consultation with the DCMO and the ministry," the source said. 

The source declined to comment if the line could open by the end of this week. 

The Nagasandra-Madavara metro line has been the slowest to build in Namma Metro's history due to land acquisition challenges and financial struggles faced by the contractor. Simplex Infrastructures Limited was awarded the civil work contract in February 2017 with a 27-month deadline, but the project has taken well over 91 months.