Namma Metro’s Reach 2 to be opened by June

BENGALURU: After the inauguration of Reach 3B, the focus is now on Reach 2 that starts from Magadi Road and ends at Mysore Road.

The stretch is scheduled to be opened by June. However, people residing in the vicinity feel that unless the underground section connecting Majestic and M.G. Road is functional, it will not serve the purpose.

Vasanth Rao, General Manager (finance) told Deccan Chronicle, “The trials have been going on smoothly as expected. In a matter of one month we should be able to call the commissioner of railway safety for inspection and open Reach 2 for public by June.” Track-laying and passenger amenities work is in progress in the underground section of east-west corridor.

BMRCL claims by November-end the stretch from Mysore Road to Byappanahalli will become functional. Rajendra Kumar, a Mysore Road resident, said, “We need connectivity to the central part of the city. Travelling to Magadi Road is not a major challenge.”

Another citizen, Vishnu Gowda said, “We have faced a lot of trauma due to metro construction, from dust to unbearable traffic jams. I hope they give us the service we deserve as soon as possible. They should take up the work of completing the underground section on priority basis.”

BMRCL began construction for the 42-km long Phase 1 in 2006 and so far only four stretches, out of nine, have been thrown open to public. In 2006 the estimated cost of the project was Rs 5,400 crore, but now it has nearly tripled to Rs 13,845 crore. The project has missed many deadlines and it remains to be seen if it meets December 2015 deadline.