November 17 deadline, distant dream for Bengaluru metro: Experts

Bengaluru: Namma metro's claim that it will complete the entire phase 1 by November has been scoffed at by experts. They say they will not be surprised if the north-south line is inaugurated by early 2017! With the dismantling of the Kaveri tunnel boring machine sure to take more than 45 days, it looks like the wait is going to be much longer.

Transport expert M.N. Sreehari points out, “It is next to impossible to start operating the entire Phase 1 by November. Mere laying of the skeleton structure is not enough, the finishing work has to be done and these things do take time. Besides, one TBM is just through and another is yet to have a ‘breakthrough’. Again there will be several tests that the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) has to conduct, which are time-consuming.”

Voicing a similar opinion, Sanjeev V Dyamannavar, member of Praja RAAG says, “There is still a lot of work to be done. According to my assessment, it’s only by March 2017 that I see them being through with the entire stretch. Also, those stretches that are open have many works pending. They still need to make the escalators functional at some stations. In addition, the sub-ways near Pennya and Jalahalli which were to be commissioned last year are yet to be rolled out.”

However, BMRC officials say they are on track and according to plan, trials on Puttenahalli will start from September and the dismantling work of Kaveri TBM is in no way affecting the work schedule.

He says, “The dismantling work is continuing on one side, hence the work can go on smoothly from the other side. There was a regular track done for the TBM which used to remove the mud. First, that has to be removed. Then the tunnel has to be cleaned properly. After that a bed of cement concrete will be made and the track will be laid above this. This entire procedure needs to be done properly and takes one month’s time. So, I feel we are on track.”