Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
P
rime Minister,Narendra Modi and other dignitaries.
Today is a Very Special and Memorable day.It is a pleasure to be with you all.Bangalore City is known for its pleasant climate,green parks and for being the IT capital of the country.
With the addition of world-class metro rail system, it is indeed a matter of pride for the people of Karnataka and it is the first city in South India to have a successful metro rail system.
With the Joint effort of Government of India and Government of Karnataka,the two vital sections between Krishnarajapura to Baiyappanahalli,a length of 2.10 Kms and Kengeri to Challaghatta,a length of 2.05 Kms of the Bangalore Metro Rail Project was opened to the public on 09.10.2023.
With the opening of these two vitals sections, the city is connected from East to West seamlessly and the Metro Network has increased to 74 Kms.Every Day more than 7 lakh commuters are travelling.
Phase-1 of the Project was opened on 20.10.2011 for public carriage.
The entire 42.3 Kms long stretch of Bangalore Metro Rail Project of Phase-1, built at a cost of Rs.14,133 Cr. was dedicated to Nation on 17.06.2017 by Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee along with other dignitaries during my previous term as Chief Minister. For this project,the Government of Karnataka has released Rs 5630 Cr.
The Phase-2 of the Bangalore Metro Rail project of length 75.06 Kms was taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 30,695 Cr.
I am happy to inform you that a total of 32 Kms of metro line of Phase-2 has been completed and commissioned for operations including these two vital sections.The metro Network operations has increased to 74 Kms.
The line from Nagasandra to Madavara, the North extension of 3.14 Kms long and the new line from R.V. Road to Bommasandra 19.15 Kms long is nearing completion and is planned to open for public service in early 2024.
The line from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara,a New Line of 21.26 Kms long is planned to be completed by March-2025.
With the completion of these lines, the operational network will increase to 117 Kms and is expected to serve 12 Lakhs commuters per day.
For phase-2 of the project, the Government of Karnataka has released Rs.11583.08 Cr.
I also wish to state that the 58 Kms long Phase 2A & 2B project called the ORR-Airport metro line is being constructing at an estimated cost of Rs.14788.10 Cr. and it is planned to be completed by 2026.The Government of Karnataka has released Rs.4775.36 Cr.
After completion of ongoing projects, the Operational Metro network by 2026 will be 176 Kms and it is expected to serve 20 lakh passengers per day.
To meet the growing demand, DPR for, Phase-3 of Bangalore Metro Rail project for a length of 45 Kms at an estimated cost of Rs. 15,611 Cr. has been submitted to the Government of India for approval. I request Hon’ble Prime Minister to approve the project early.
Also, DPR is under preparation for Phase-3A of the Bangalore Metro Rail project from Sarjapura to Hebbal for length of 37 Kms.
Bangalore has been growing at a faster pace and the Karnataka government has approved to construct 317 Kms of metro lines under Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) by the year 2031,of which 257 Kms are under operation, construction and planning stage.The remaining 60 Kms of metro lines feasibility survey will be taken up shortly.
The State Government is thankful to the Hon’ble Prime Minster, Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and other Ministries for development of Bangalore City.
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to all multilateral and bilateral development agencies who have been extremely supportive to Bangalore Metro by providing loans with very long tenure and modest interest rates.
I extend my sincere thanks to all the contractors working on this project. I also extend my thanks to more than 14 thousands of workers engaged in this projects.
I close my speech with a strong resolve for achieving goals for a faster, sustainable economic growth with inclusive development of the state.
