Land acquisition issues may delay airport metro connectivity

By Nischith N | NT

Bengaluru: The state government has set an ambitious target to extend metro services to Bengaluru International Airport by 2024. But it is unlikely to meet the deadline as the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) has not completed the land acquisition.

BMRCL is yet to acquire more than 31 plots.

According to a report released by the corporation, 285 plots - 71 from government and 214 from private properties - have to be acquired for the metro line. However, only 254 plots (50 government and 186 private) have been acquired so far.

“Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had announced that the metro line to the airport would be completed by 2024. Though civil construction began recently, land acquisition appears to be a major challenge. Hope the remaining land will be acquired soon,” said a senior official with BMRCL.

The airport line will have 17 stations at Benniganahalli, Horamavu, HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar, HBR Layout, Nagawara, Veeranna Palya, Kempapura, Hebbal, Kodigehalli, Jakkur Cross, Yelahanka, Bagalur Cross, Bettahalarusu, Doddajala, Airport City and Airport.

“We are confident of acquiring the remaining land by the end of June. We will definitely meet the 2024 deadline set by the government,” said Channappa Goudar, General Manager (Land Acquisition) of BMRCL.

Under phase 2A and B of the metro project, the BMRCL is building the ORR-Airport line from Central Silk Board to the airport via KR Puram, Nagawara and Hebbal. The phase 2A of the project from Central Silk Board has already begun on the Outer Ring Road, from K.R. Puram to Trumpet (till the boundary of KIA). The BMRCL is executing the project in three packages.