After a delay, metro line extension of 3.14 kilometers from Nagasandra to Bangalore International Exhibition Center to be completed.
Three stations i.e. Manjunatha Nagar, Chikkabidarakallu and Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) are going to start working from March 2023. The construction was delayed due to the land acquisition issues regarding a land near Jindal Aluminium Limited in Kisloskar Layout. However, elections may further delay the project BMRCL officials said.
T. L. Ravi Prakash, Senior Manager, Public Relation office (PRO) at Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) said, “There was a delay in construction due to the land dispute between BMRCL and Jindal Aluminium Limited but now the dispute is resolved and hopefully by March 2023 the three stations will be functioning.” He also added that if elections take place in March the construction can be resumed only after it ends.
Nikita Jain a frequent commuter in metro said, “I am glad that now we will be having metro ahead of Nagasandra and it will be easier to go to BIEC.” She also added that she has been to BIEC to attend a few exhibitions in the past and every time she had to pay Rs. 80 – Rs. 100 to autos for one way.”
According to the BMRCL Newsletter August 2022, nearly 82.64 percent of work for Phase 3C is completed. These three stations were supposed to be complete by 2017. But now the company has provided an approach road of 12.5 feet wide that goes through their property.
Anusha T C, Assistant Professor, SJB School of Architecture and Planning said, “Due to the metro connectivity, at least 30 percent of the traffic has gone down. But the government also has to make sure that there is last mile connectivity as it will be better for commuters as many people do not uses metro due to lack of last mile connectivity.”
Narayana, an auto driver said, “It will be a bit difficult for us as we lose out on customers but people would still need us for last mile connectivity so it won’t be a huge loss.” He also said that someone like him who owns the auto, it will make a difference of Rs. 100 to Rs. 150 per day but not much.
