MC Interview: Completing Metro rail work on Bengaluru's tech corridor Outer Ring Road top priority, says BMRCL MD

Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) Managing Director Maheshwar Rao M

Completing Metro rail work on Bengaluru's tech corridor Outer Ring Road (Central Silk Board- KR Pura) will be Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd's (BMRCL) top priority, said Managing Director Maheshwar Rao M.  A 1995 batch IAS officer, Rao assumed the role of BMRCL's MD on January 11, becoming its sixth MD since 2006. Currently boasting a 73.8-km network, BMRCL plans to expand to 176 km by 2026 and to 317 km by 2031.

In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Rao discusses the challenges and plans to expedite Metro work in Bengaluru. Excerpts from the interview:

What is your top priority?

My priority is to complete all ongoing Metro work (Nagasandra-Madavara 3.1 km, RV Road-Bommasandra 19 km, Kalene Agrahara-Nagawara 21.26 km, Central Silk Board – Airport 58.19 km) as soon as possible. I will particularly focus on the Outer Ring Road (Central Silk Board – KR Pura) Metro and aim to expedite its completion. Pedestrians and motorists on ORR are largely inconvenienced due to construction activities. They often face difficulties in crossing roads due to Metro work. Our priority is to systematically resolve these issues one by one, accelerate the implementation process, and operationalise them at the earliest.

Bengaluru Metro's average construction pace is 5 km per year, compared to Delhi Metro's 16 km per year. What are the reasons for the slow pace?

Some of the key issues in Bengaluru, I think, include land acquisition and traffic congestion, among others. We also need to ensure proper coordination of all stakeholders, manage working hours, and utilise new construction technology. Some of these challenges have affected our progress, but we have overcome major hurdles. Now, it is a matter of implementation. I will be dedicating significant attention to this aspect, focusing on how we can complete the work without delays.

 Which Metro section will be inaugurated next?

Both the Green Line extension (Nagasandra-Madavara) and the Yellow Line (RV Road-Bommasandra) are in their advanced stages. The Green Line extension should be completed faster since it is just 3 km, but the focus is also on making the Yellow Line operational.

After delays, the prototype train for the Yellow Line was shipped from China on January 24, 2024. The first two sets of six-car trains will be coming from China, while the remaining 204 coaches will be manufactured by Titagarh Rail in India. What is their current status?

Our team visited Titagarh’s production facility in Uttarpara near Kolkata for inspection. Six-seven trains are required to start operations on the Yellow Line. Our team is in discussion with the manufacturer and the rollout plan, including supply details, will be known in a couple of days.

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The Union government approval is pending for two Phase 3 corridors: JP Nagar IV Phase – Kempapura 32 km and Hosahalli-Kadabagere 13 km.

We hope for approval soon, and I will be following up with the Government of India to expedite the process.

You must have discussed with your predecessors the major challenges faced by Bengaluru Metro...

The issues primarily revolve around implementation. My predecessors have resolved the majority of these challenges, particularly in terms of getting access, land acquisition, etc. Now, the crucial task is to enhance coordination with multiple agencies and resolve issues. This is important for accomplishing tasks such as erecting piers, completing viaducts, and ensuring timely induction of coaches.

The state government recently proposed extending the Metro to the peripheral areas of Bengaluru. Should the Metro rail focus on core city areas first before extending to the outskirts?

We will conduct feasibility studies to identify the viability of a mass rapid transport system on those routes. The feasibility study will decide whether a Metro system is necessary or not. The state government's focus is on providing mobility for the citizens of Bengaluru, and we need to come up with effective solutions. The idea is also to proactively address the future requirements of citizens. Although there is already a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) in place, we will engage in further discussions, and I am confident that the government will make a very reasonable decision.

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According to the CMP, 317 km of the Metro network is planned by 2031, but the Inner Ring Metro, which is a part of the plan, is not included.

I will check this with the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and we'll discuss it with them.

Another major issue is the inadequate last-mile connectivity from Bengaluru Metro stations. For instance, unlike in Delhi, there are no shared autos in Bengaluru.

We will engage in discussions with all stakeholders to explore solutions and ensure proper last-mile connectivity. That will be the way to go.