[sustran] Errors in planning delay Metro by four years

[Vinay Baindur]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Errors-in-planning-delay-Metro-by-four-years/articleshow/45754167.cms



*Errors in planning delay Metro by four years*
Aparajita Ray,TNN | Jan 5, 2015, 04.00 AM IST

BENGALURU: Namma Metro was to have a full-on launch of its first phase in
December 2012. After several missed deadlines, December 2016 is now seen as
a more realistic date for project completion. A myopic vision and blunders
in planning have ensured the project is delayed by nearly four years.

Take escalators, for instance. The original estimates for the project did
not even include basic amenities like these in stations, Bangalore Metro
Rail Corporation (BMRC) sources told TOI. That a public utility dealing
with thousands of commuters daily could even be conceived without an
escalator, sources said, bordered on utter lack of common sense.

As a result, the tenders floated were incomplete in detailing. Finally,
escalators had to be included in the amended contracts, pushing up the
deadline as well as the cost.

According to sources, the contracts were riddled with loopholes. Aspects
like earthwork at stations were not included in the contracts. When it came
to implementation, the contractors backed out saying it is not part of the
deal. The BMRC finally ended up coughing up extra money towards these works.

Sources point to many such incomplete tenders floated which did not clarify
whether the BMRC will pay for itineraries directly or whether cost will be
borne by contractors. Eventually, the company ended up picking up the hefty
tab.

"Many stations on the partially operational northern corridor are
incomplete till date. Amenities are being added for commuter comfort as
they were part of the original project conception," sources said.

The biggest casualty of the disorganized planning has been the elevated
sections of southern and western stretches. Most stations here are ready
but the trains can't run as there is no way they can be dragged on these
corridors from the northern and eastern ends where Metro sheds are located
till completion of the Majestic interchange.

Namma Metro was conceived in such a way that its four corridors would be
extended to accommodate the needs of a growing Bengaluru. Yet, the
authorities did not deem it necessary to have stabilizing sheds, where
trains can be maintained for operations, on the northern and western
corridors. The two existing sheds are located at the terminal ends of
eastern and northern stretches.

There was a plan to physically ferry the trains and mount them on the
elevated section of western corridor. But now the BMRC is waiting for the
track laying on the east-west corridor underground section to get over.
Only then can it drag the trains from the eastern side to the western side
and commence the operations, the source confirmed.

FULL CAPACITY

* Metro Phases I and II are designed to carry 40,000 people in one hour
during peak hours

* Phase I alone is estimated to transport 10 lakh people daily on an average

* 19 lakh expected to be ferried under Phases I and II by 2021

* Currently, 25,000 ride by Metro on eastern corridor and 15,000 on
northern corridor