Namma metro reach-1 tracker

Vinod, with your commitment on updating this site with Metro progress, We will bring back the old Metro tracking pages (remember, we had these for BIAL, BTRAC etc).

If more people can join Vinod here - we can collaborate for some nice community tracking of Bangalore Metro project. What you would have to do is very very simple.

• Visit BMRC website regularly
• Watch out for BMRC tenders in newspapers
• Take pictures once in a while if yo pass through Metro areas
• And, yes, do read the newspapers

And then, write Metro posts on praja 1-2 times a month, just make sure you use the right tags on the posts ("BMRC", "Namma Metro").

We will restore the Metro tracking page in a couple of days.

Checked the link.  Seem to have made mixed progress

Piers - added 26 in July vs 18 in June and 15 in May.  At this rate will finish in 3 months.  Constrained by pile caps.

Piles - added 27 in July vs 51 in June and 19 in May.  Will finish in 2 months at this rate

Pile caps - Added just 5 in July vs. 17 in June.  Will take 8 months at this rate. 

Spans - Added only 8 in July vs 16 in June and 0 in May.  Will take 18 months at this rate

Segment casting - 94 in July vs 77 in June.  At this rate will take 13 months to finish casting.

Unless they pick up on spans, Dec 2010 is going to be tough. 

Srivathsa

I tried to trace the path of metro from BYP towards MG road..Here are some photos of the same..

Metro station at BYP..this is next to the IR line and the metro will be at grade here and thats the reason there are no pillars:

This is on NGEF grounds..guess the TTMC is coming up here..heres where the elevated line touches ground..you can see pillars gradually hitting ground:

The image below is on OMR infront of the isolation hospital:

This is where it turns into Indiranagar 100 ft road:

Unfortunately nothing to report from CMH road as there is almost no visible activity there.

Below is the Ulsoor station coming up:

This is as it approaches trinity circle, in front of Lido:

Sorry for the image quality..it was very sunny today..and this is the best that cud be done with my phone cam..

Vinod /Others,

I noticed today that the first single pier after the three double piers with beams (for curved section) at MG rd-Brigade rd intersection is not positioned squarely at the center of the pier cap.

This single pier is on the section past the intersection, towards Trinity junction. I will try to get a picture soon & post it here. Anyone noticed this ?

I am eagerly waiting to ride on Namma Metro in 2011. Before that BMTC has to do this :

http://bangalore.praja.in/en/discuss/forums/2009/06/buses-link-cricket-stadium-byappanahalli-reach-1-metro-link

at both the ends of Phase 1. This will offload traffic like anything.

I am currently near Boston, USA. I took a Red Line here recently and also had been to NY two weeks back.

I felt Boston Subway is much cleaner although Network is not wide spread. Coaches are manufactured by Bombardier. It makes too much noise inside the coach. Subway stations are all very hot until you get inside the train since there is no airconditioner in the station.

New York Subway  Stations I felt  very dirty and lot of nuisances happening in the stations. Rides are expensive. It is not based on the distance travelled, anywhere in the network it is the same charge.

I have not experienced the Delhi Metro. But our fellow Indians who accompanied me told that Delhi Metro is very cleaner and far better compared to Metros here.

Since Bangalore will have very few underground stations in the downtown area, I think we may not much face the heating problem. Also we need strict security in the stations to avoid the 'nuisances' like NYC.

There is a blog for photos of namma metro on wordpress : http://nammametrophotoblog.wordpress.com

Procurement of rolling stock

As per this report in DH, there are indications that rolling stock supplies may be delayed.

At Naveen (regarding unsafe pier) - ask the design engineer if (s)he considered eccentric loads and consequent moment in the pier. If they did, for the amount actually on site, it should be OK. If not, they need to re-calculate and remedy it. The contractor's list has contact information for some of the engineers.

At Vasanth - The metro in Washington DC is one of the cleanest. Thanks for pointing out the wordpress photo site.

Response to query of rolling stock tender indicates that the tender was issued a while ago. Other tender information (not their status) is here. Also, updates on coach selection here.

Updated: BTW, this site mentions BEML for coaches whereas BMRCL mentions Korean company? *puzzled*

In this case the first lot comes from korea and then we subsequently make those on our own.. 

I'm sure all viaducts will be ready by 2012, but doubt very much if tunnelling works & the multi-level UG section + city center at majestic will also be completed.

BMRC was to start tunnel works this year, but have postponed it to next year. Unless, they move quickly on these huge jobs, the completed viaducts & stations (on south & west reaches) will be of no use as trains cannot be run there.

They might then run trains on only East & North reaches, awaiting completion of these jobs !

The blame game will then begin - BMRC will claim that KSRTC had not handed over land in majestic in time, whilst KSRTC will state that land was not handed over to them by BMRC at Peenya for a bus terminal there. The minister will promise that all issues were being sorted out speedily !

 1.43 mts is the width btwn rails for std guage and the metro coaches are 2.9 mts wide..so to run two trains on the stilts we will need atleast 6.5 mts total space on the spans..

Some places the width seems to be too small..is it so or is it just me?

we will need atleast 6.5 mts total space on the spans

Actually, the viaduct width will be abt 10 mtrs :

Distance between tracks - 4.2m (center to center).

Width with trains standing on both tracks - 1.44+4.2+1.44 = 7.08m.

Provison is also being made for emergency side walks (in case of train breakdowns). Assuming that sidewalks are 1.5m wide each side, viaduct width will have to be 1.5+7.08+1.5 = 10.08m (minimum).

I have seen some offset piers like this in Taipei city, where pillars had to be located a little off because of some existing construction.  If the loads are corectly calculated, should not be problem. 

 DMRCL has deployed 7 of the 14 TBM's for phase II of Delhi Metro..to complete a distance of 16 KM..multiple TBM's can be launched from different underground stations..

Source: http://www.delhimetrorail.com/commuters/whats_new.html

Since the underground stations are cut-cover, it will allow to start tunnelling in parallel..if westart in time and with the right skills and equipment in place..its not difficult!

Lets see if VTU will confer a honorary doctrate to Mr.Sivasailam!

Rolling stock available Oct-Nov 2010.   When is driver training and the training for the rest of the staff going to happen?  Or are they being sent to DMRC for the initial training and qualification?  And then come back here almost ready to start operating the trains?

I hope they have a really good plan for staff training.  We cannot have red light jumping on Metro tracks :)

I would have thought Nov 1,2010 would have been a better date coinciding with Rajyotsava.  No?

Srivathsa

 I noticed that segments are getting launched from the OMR side also.  So at least the speed of launching will go up.  Not sure if an additional casting facilities have been built. Gammon seems to have a rather new looking concrete facility near the Byp terminus.  Maybe that is another casting area?

Read this today.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/25904/metro-track-laying-feb.html

The work on laying tracks for the 42.30 km route of the 'Namma Metro' project is likely to commence in February or March 2010 and will be completed in 140 weeks.

“The work on laying of tracks would most likely begin in February next year at a pace of 400 meters a day. While we would supply the ballastless track, BMRCL engineers would lay the track. Reach 1 from Cricket Stadium on M G Road to Byappanahalli will be completed by October 2010, with the entire route on Phase I, expected to be over in September 2012,” announced L S Patil, the executive chairman of Patil Rail Infrastructure Private Limited, at a media briefing here on Thursday.

Looks like this means 400 m of one rail track Or 100 route meters based on the 140 weeks

400 m of track/day = 2.4 km of track/week assuming 6 days operation.  or 600 route-meteres of track.  For 42 km it should take 70 weeks.  Why 140 weeks?

a. 140 weeks is probably the elapsed time.  There will be delays because the viaduct is not ready and of course the underground stretch might not even have started!!!

b. Why wait till Mar 2010 to start Reach 1?  Aren't we wasting precious time?  Any delay means that if the rolling stock is ready, then they can't do test runs.

c. Also suprising that Mr.Patil still thinks that all the work will be done by Sep 2012 when we hear yesterday that the underground stretch is off by 6 months.  So is there a plan to make up lost time?  Or is the communication process also broken down?

Srivathsa

Srinidhi,

Please check my calculations.  I have already accounted for 2 sets of tracks. 

My assumption is that the 400m refers to only 1 single track.  So 4 tracks for a route-km of track.  And therefore 100m/day of route. 

Srivathsa

Man of numbers - lol :) 

Agree - it looks like elapsed time rather than processing time - the constraint being availability of finished spans ready to receive tracks.

Wish I could get my hands on the NM.mpp file :).  The Gantt chart would be most interesting to look at.

Srivathsa

Good point.  It is part of the same tender.  That should add 50%.

Now I might be oversimplifying calculations.  Am likely being very conservative

  In all likelihood, the tracklaying machine lays 400m of track - 2 train tracks and 1 3rd rail a day.  I can hardly see this as a manual operation with gangmen carrying 1 rail and then fixing it.  Hopefully those days are gone.

Srivathsa

I am not too sure vinod if the gradient could help cos the elevation is in the wrong place..all the super tall pillars are in the begining of CMH road which itself is on an natural elevation.. 

Understand there is trough as CMH road meets Swami Vivekananda road(Ulsoor)..and I was thinking elevation there would have made sense..but why early on CMH road? To reduce noise and vibration effect cos biz establishments are too close?

Update: Was seeing the picture of the CMH road station and tht explained the reason for the height..its because they are also constructng the station below it..two levels..guess the ticketing and other facilites will be on one floor and commuters have to get to the next level where the platform will be there..this is because of not having enough space for station on CMH road!

This news item reports that the state has exempted BEML from VAT & CST for Metro coach construction.

Those who believe BMRC about reach-1 operation by Dec-2010 & the entire phase-1 by end-2012  -  I am willing to bet that this will never be so.

Anyone ?

Thanks for the report (was a little disappointed seeing a one-liner yesterday). Your analyses are very informative. The last table is telling - looks like they missed their internal goals. Wonder what goals they missed? BTW, good pictures by psaram in case you missed.
 

Vinod,

      Would you have some time to update those wonderful bar charts for Reach 1 ? The December 2009 newsletter is out and it looks like it is a cut and paste of November report atleast for reach 1.

      It also sounds like the piles, pillars and segment info for all reaches are coming out. Here is the progress so far,

     Reach 1:

                     200 piers of 223

                     860 segments out of 1929

                      219 pile caps out of 223

     Reach 2: 200 piles out of 1062

     Reach 3: Is going to be a disaster

     Reach 4: May be the first to finish including stations !

                      225 piles out of 667 done

Vinod,

Even the span numbers remain unchanged from November.  If you look up at your post for November, it was 68 spans in November.   It looks like either a copy paste job or putting in the wrong version.  I wrote to BMRCL, but expect nothing.

Just amazing that they have this sort of cavalier attitude to the most important project that Bangalore has ever seen.  No standard reports, no proper updates.  Am planning to write to Mr.Ramachandran - trying to locate his e-mail

Srivathsa

Hi Everyone,

I truly had a dream!

How would Bengalurians like to see all the piers of Namma Metro being covered by lush green plants / creepers et al?

Last time I met their Chief Architect he said they were considering leasing each pier out (or each stretch of piers out) to Advertising companies to advertise their products, earning additional income for BMRCL in the bargain.

While we cannot grudge them this, my fear is that these piers would end up being used as walls to plaster them with political posters once election time comes. Then they will never be cleaned. Just see what is happening in the flyover piers of Richmond Road flyover.

Now my dream imagined a situation where we could request and use public opinion pressure on BMRCL to genuinely show their care for a greener Bengaluru by covering the piers with lush green creepers and plants which nowadays can be built modularly, requiring no maintenance! I do not mean plastic plants. Genuine green plants.

If anyone wants to check out how this is possible, I would invite them to visit the following web sites:

www.vertical-garden-solutions.com and www.vertical-garden-inspiration.com

Afterall BMRCL has destroyed Bengaluru's green cover by removing over 3000 trees. Dont they owe this to us in some small measure?

Food for thought?

Regards,

Chari

Yes, BMRCL is "here to run trains and make profit", but I think that is where Prajagalus could start building up significant public opinion.

I have personally talked to quite a few Senior BMRCL officials who are appreciative of the idea. Perhaps a via-media can be found by getting large multinational companies (Coke, Airtel et al) to advertise their brand names above and below a large portion of the middle section where these vertical gardens can be created. It will look beautiful and will also serve the purpose of earning some revenue for BMRC.

No the piers will not be affected by water as it can easily be backed by impermeable liners which are 100% water proof.

Of course I do not agree that every time a new concept is suggested we should go into an overdrive to find cheaper alternatives. Why invent the wheel all over again when people with year's of experience have already invented and fine tuned it to best effects?

My two penny worth!

Hi All,

There is not much info about the reach 4 and 3 in news letter against real progress.

Yesterday I visited from RV road Terminal to till Lalbagh Westgate station,

I see considerable progress against the other 2 reaches(2 n 3). It seems they may start operating from in mid 2011 itself.

Already plenty of piers have come up in RV road from Terminal towards west  gate. and they are setting up span launcher near Terminal side.

Also L&T is doing fast work on KR road and lalbagh stations.

I am not sure how to update the snaps in this for tracking.

Cheers,

Vadiraj

Er, if I may ask - what part of Bangalore does not look like a war zone ? Is there any part of Bangalore where there is a level surface for pedestrians to walk. At least the Metro sites have an excuse...

I just came back from dinner near Bhasyam circle in Sadashivnagar.  The footpath on the main road is incomplete - and looks like it has been that way for months - with open drains - and part which is complete is still unwalkable. No metro here ;).

Ramesh

Concerning CMH Road - I suppose it may have been a deliberate act of the BMRCL to destroy that road. If you recall the merchants on CMH Road had strongly protested the Metro coming that way. Perhaps in return for that the BMRCL has decided to ruin them by not making the road at all usable. The road exists and is wide enough - but is in such an awful state that it is unusable and so its not clear why they havent made it usuable.This is not the case elsewhere - for example on Chord Road or MG Road itself.

Ramesh

http://www.bmrc.co.in/pdf...

Nothing much about real facts in newsletter.

 Viaduct work complete seems to be an error.  Viaduct ought to include the spans as well.  Only 100 were complete last month out of 223 or so. 

Maybe what they mean is the piers/pillars.  

Anyway good that the roads AND hopefully pavements on all the affected stretches will be put back in order.

Srivathsa

 According to most reports.  

Srivathsa

Following posts (Total 391 Posts) in the Operation & Maintenance Wing of BMRCL. have been called.

Now things are l moving for the NAMMA  METRO http://www.bmrc.co.in/pdf/careers/notification.pdf

Now BMTC & BMRC should work out the single ticket system and  Commuter Rail  System by SWR will be in place by the time METRO starts.  Then authorites should work out single monthly pass or daily single ticket netween these three transport systems.

All piers complete, segment launching in progress, station work also moving ahead (between 34% and 45% complete). Also, BMRCL finally seems to have woken up to the fact that Reach-1 includes the entire Cricket stadium - Byappanahalli stretch and not just CS-TC!!! ;-)

All this and more in the March Newsletter

Also, I've made a couple of graphs similar to Vinod's, updated till March 2010. Here they are:

Hi Srinidhi,

Just to correct here,

All the pillars in Reach 1 are completely developoed by Navayuga only.

Due to delay in execution, only launching spans in 3 sections are off loaded to Gammon.

Secondly, the variation in design is not because of change is contractor, its depending on hight of pillar nad soil areao take load and sustain vibrations.

Cheers,

Raj

We are fast approaching the d-day and the pace is frantic at the metro construction site.. 

However one thing that concerns me is the the way the spans are resting on the pillars..below is an example..

There is an offset in the way the spans rest on the pillars..

Simple engineering principles say that when we are designing a cantilever..there is enforcement built in the supporting structures..when we see these pillars(quite a few along reach 1) they dont look any special than the reset!

This means that either the load to be borne(as a cantilever) is well under control or the design is skewed which could affect stability..hope its not the latter..

Do any of you have a better explanation for it?

However one thing that concerns me is the the way the spans are resting on the pillars.

I think this has got something to do with the centrifugal force when the carriages are making a turn on the track. Roads are usually banked but I presume it is hard to do that on these concrete spans. Instead, they seem to have used offset, which has a similar effect.

If these 'offset' pillars are present only where the track is turning, this might indeed be the case. 

BMRC June 2010 newsletter makes a mention of  Integration of Metro with BMTC.

Here is the extract.

Wonder what the finalized routes are for the five stations... Any body with more info?

Their is no effort either by BMRCL / SWR  to have integration with Biyyappanahalli  and Yesvanthpur Railway Stations with METRO.

As this issue was discussed in BMLTA meeting. Even SWR DRM has agreed in 2008'dec BMLTA meeting and agreed to come out with solution of  integration aspect of smooth changeover from METRO to Railway Stations.

I think we need to file an RTI with both BMRCL and  SWR on the status of integration.

Traffic between MG Road to OMR is a high traffic stretch. It may take around 30-45 mins max to reach starting station Chinnaswamy Stadium from South and West Bangalore such as BSK, Gandhi Bazaar, Vijaynagar, Vyalikaval etc. Ride from Stadium to Byappanahalli will take around 15 mins. From Byappanahalli to ITPL and Ring Road SEZ stretch, it may take 15-20 mins.

These figures are not good during non-peak hours. But, during peak hours, it normally takes 1:30 - 2 hrs which will get reduced to 1 hr - 1hr 15 min. What we need is connecting buses on either sides. BMRCL has to work with BMTC or sub contract to a private firm for the same before this becomes operational.

 I have my doubts after visiting the Byappanahalli terminal today..here are some snaps from there..

The above pic is where the ramp hits grade at the NGEF grounds..there is atleast 1 span just before this pic which still needs to be hoisted!

The above pic is where the trains should eventually come to a halt and the PM/CM should be flagging off the trains..there are two levels to this station..wonder why!

This is the front of the station facing the Byp IR platform(on right)..accross this is the KSRTC terminal..wonder what is the plan to get to there..

Overall..this looks like it migh take longer to finish..Bangalore Mirror mentioned July 2011 as the start date..maybe thats realistic!

On the other hand CM is saying in the press that the date(dec 2010) will be preponed..wonder who played the pungi to his ears!

While hearing BMRCL’s plea for vacating a stay order on Metro works near Chinnaswamy stadium, Justice Ram Mohan Reddy pulled up the BMRCL officials for bad design of the Metro rail project.

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_a-judge-loses-sleep-over-project-metro_1409942

This stay has been ordered since  February 6, 2010, that means  Chinnaswamy Stadium  Station work has been stopped.  As BMRCL & CM of Karnataka are claiming METRO will start from  Dec'2010, this is fooling people.

Under ground Station  near High Court is also stayed by PIL.  and Govt approval was not taken, last week only taken Cabinet approval on this.

Other underground works orders have not been released to Vendors, this shows,  Project METRO will get delayed  and  now BMRCL should give realistic  dates on the completion.

 I pass i front of his house almost everyday..I see that the pace is fast(reach 4) but really not that noisy..

They have already brought down part of Vasavi institution bldg for metro and just after that is the property of this lady who has raised this issue..all she needs is more money/compensation per sft price..!

Guess BMRCL will do an off court with her and shut this Justice's  mouth..

Btw the KR road station is coming out really well..will post some pics soon!

Saw this today in DH (don't miss the part about the planned grade separator):

Sadly, it's almost laughable that this has been discussed on Praja almost 20 months back! It could have been ready by now.

As words fail me, all I can do I raise my hat to our 'planners'! Meanwhile, in other unrelated news:

1. "States reap millions from petrol (source) and...
2. "Every 4th person in Singapore is now an Indian (source) 

Anyone else see a common thread running through here?

----

 COnsideing the fact the underground sections work will take way too long a time to even start(2011??)..the plan is to have this initial all elevated rail from Byp to  Cricket Stadium and the next to go live is the elevated section from Swastik(Malleshwaram) to Ypr..

Though reach 4 work is happenin fast we cannot run train there unless the ug section completes as there is no depot on that part!

 We have seen the pace of the Namma Metro. Why not Phase-2 be started in parallel. Atleast the paper work and design should be finished before launch of Phase 1 Reach 1.

There is an urgent need for the Phase 1 Reach 1 extension to ITPL because of the volume of traffic which is ITPL bound. If they can start now, by the time underground section finishes, it would really worth for the pains public took all these days.

BMRCL is working on the extension of Metro from RV Road Terminal to Kanakapura Road already, on the other hand I have not seen any progress on extension of Reach 1 to ITPL. Don't know the logic of BMRCL/ Rites behind this.

I had an opportunity to interact with our MLA / Minister Sri Limbavali today.  He said that he tried his best to get Metro extension to ITPL in phase I, but that is not happening.  Only expected in Phase II.

Though Vasanth Rao agreed that the actual structure of the second station may take even an year to complete, he opined that it will not affect the operation of Reach-1. “We’ll have the other station operating in full and are confident of completing the basic structure including the passage connecting the second station for operational purpose. Hence, there should be no problem in meeting the deadline.

source (Deccan Herald)

Admittedly, while what Rao envisions as a basic structure is up for debate, the idea of a grey, ghostly, incomplete shell of a station that's expected to convince people to swith to PT sounds like a big non-starter. Call me a cynic of the system, but I would prefer a project that misses its deadline (even though it's the nth one) but has the bells and whistles from Day 1 than just the 'basic structure'.

----

Reach-1 civil works are still on at almost all stations whilst work on Plaza stn (MG Rd) is yet to commence. I guess station finishing works (tiling, glass work, etc) would take atleast 2-3 months after civil works. So, realistically, Metro Reach-1 may commence operations only sometime in April-May, 2011, assuming Plaza stn work begins soon without delay.

Ministers & officials keep insisting that Metro reach-1 will be made operational in end-2010, but none dare see the writing on the wall & are going along with mere wishful thinking.

MG Road station is the terminal station as far as Reach 1 is concerned.

MG Rd is not a 'terminal' stn, it's an intermediate stn (Cricket stadium & Baiyyapanahalli are the terminals for reach-1).

ability for trains to switch tracks at or before this station.

Switching tracks are probably planned around cricket stadium (terminal stn) & may not be built at Plaza, even as a stop gap.

this is pretty much all they will have even when complete

Wonder where in the world they have such half finished structures for metros - I haven't seen any ! As previously mentioned, plastering of walls, tiling of floors, glass on roofs /sides, installation of escalators, lifts, doing up interiors for toilets, ticket offices, finishing of stairways & balustrades, etc are all pending & may not be completed by end-2010.

BYP to MG Road it is. Recent newsletters (July & Aug) from BMRCL have stated that 

This section between Baiyappanahalli to MG Road will be commissioned in Dec’2010.

 

cos all are in Korea inspecting the coaches from Rotem..also most of reports abt NM comes from press these days as the d-day is approaching..

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is gearing up for the trial run of the metro coaches that arrived last month.

While the mock run is expected to be conducted in the middle of this month, BMRCL has also stepped on the pedal to speed up the construction work to meet the proposed December deadline for commissioning of Reach-1 (Byappanahalli to Chinnaswamy Stadium).

Though only 47 per cent of the overall work is complete at the Byappanahalli depot, BMRCL is confident of completing crucial/functional part of the construction for the December commissioning so that the Reach-1 can function.

The entire depot will be completed in March 2011. Also, the signalling work is attaining some progress, they said, adding that Alstom India Project Limited, Alstom, France and Thales, Spain have been awarded the project.
 

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/110215/bmrcl-gearing-up-trial-run.html

The stretch of land near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the City will soon be a wall that divides two different and splendid worlds.

Below the “wall”, the Namma Metro  will zip past taking people to the nook and cranny of the IT hub and above it, there will be lush lawns to be used for sports such as tennis.
A deal towards this was struck in the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday, as Justice Ram Mohan Reddy cleared all the hurdles for the construction of metro rail facilities through the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) land.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/110238/bmrcl-ksca-bury-hatchet.html

Also their was Tender for selecting Contractors for Mejestic Underground Station METRO.

Now METRO is progressing quite well.  

This small streatch of 7 Kms  which has been planned by Jan'2011 will it serve any purpose ???

Integration with Baiyyappanhalli Railway Station and Extending the this segment further to Whietfiled on priority will  get  good ridership,  as the Underground work is yet to start, that means  complete METRO  of 33 Kms will be opened only  in  2014.  So its better they should take up the Whietfiled side work on priority as the people travelling to ITPL is very high, they get benifit as well as METRO ridership will  iimprove.

It is a high challenge, but if implemented will end the wait for extension of Metro from BYPL to ITPL on OMR. KR Puram Bridge is the main hurdle. Can we look into alternative roads to link ITPL from BYPL Station with Bus Priority Lane?

Extracts from the Bangalore Mirror article :

According to town planners, BMRCL’s offer comes with a rider. FAR of 4 will work for plots measuring up to an acre, as the formula allocates huge setback space. For instance, for every three metres of vertical construction (one floor), rules specify one metre of setback.

This can be achieved only with reconstitution of plots. Which means that a builder, who wants to avail of the higher FAR, will have to either buy adjacent plots or enter into joint development agreements.

What they actually meant to say was that plot sizes have to be about 1 acre or larger (above 4000 sq.m) to qualify for the higher FAR of 4.0 since setbacks will have to be increased substantially (the words used to describe it in the report are inaccurate). Thus, a 2400 sq.ft plot (223 sq.m) will not qualify for higher FAR.

As per BDA -RMP-2015, the setbacks & FAR for building Height up to 11.5m & Plot size of up to 4000sq.m (Table-8 on RMP), with width/depth of site above 9m are:  Front-12%;  Left, Right & Rear-8%.

The setbacks become more stringent for bldgs above 11.5m height.

In Commercial (Central) areas, the recommended FAR is 2.5 & max ground coverage is 75% (plots upto 500sq.m are exempt from setbacks except in the front).

There is FAR relaxation in old/core areas:

Plot size 360-4000 sq.m > additional 0.25;  Plot size above 4000 sq.m > additional 0.5.

Thus, FAR for plots over 4000 sq.m becomes 3.0. For Metro corridors (150m each side), this is further relaxed to 4.0, provided the plot size is over 4000 sq.m & irrespective of land use.

Construction still on

At the Byappanahalli Depot, which not only shelters the trains but will also be the major control centre for Namma Metro operations, the boundary and retaining walls and diversion road construction are complete. Construction of other buildings, including work on stabling shed, repair workshop, administrative building and washing plant is still going on. Metro officials, however, claim it is under “advanced stage of construction”.

Similarly, work on laying of the ballast-less track began early in September 2009.

It is still in progress and expected to be completed by mid-December. The statutory speed trial test can commence after that.

The stations

This 7-km stretch on Reach 1 has six stations — Byappanahalli, C.M.H. Road, Ulsoor, S.V. Road, Trinity Circle and M.G. Road.

While the Byappanahalli Station is at-grade (ground level), the rest are elevated stations.

Only two-third of the work on these stations is complete and it is unlikely that it will be completed by the end of December.

Putting in place the many amenities, including escalators and elevators, is yet to be taken up in these stations.

Passenger concourse, restrooms, ticket counters and even shelters in some stations, are yet to come up. BMRCL has only just invited tenders for agencies to handle security, housekeeping and ticket counter-related works.

Trains yet to arrive

Initially, five sets of trains are being imported from South Korea and the remaining will be assembled at Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) here.

The first train set arrived during the last week of October, while the next two sets of trains are expected by December second week. The remaining two sets are likely to arrive by December-end or January first week.

BMRCL's defence

Asked about the year-end deadline, a spokesperson said BMRCL had only said that it will be “ready to operate” the trains by December-end.

“This does not mean launching of commercial operations,” he reasoned.

“By the end of December, we will get the track and train certified for safety by the Commissioner of Railway Safety. Launching commercial operations depends on the will of the Government,” he said.

Going by the progress of the works, obtaining the safety certificate after successfully completing the trial run before December-end itself could be a major achievement for BMRCL.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/30/stories/2010113064230300.htm

That means they may open to public only just before 30th March.  Then imagine about  the completing of Phase-1 ,  next 4 yrs???

Do we deserve this,  why State  & Centre should provide an alternate mode of Transport till this goes on.

I had forecast the delay over a year ago here. I don't think BMRCL alone are to be blamed - the various obstacles (Navayuaga & the slow pace by other contractors, court cases, KSCA, CMH, Hasiru Usiru, etc) were bound to impact the deadlines.

What has been strange is that BMRCL as the builder has been in chorus with the politicians in repeatedly re-affirming a Dec-end start. They should have made more realistic projections for completion deadlines. Perhaps, they are still unable to "predict" how many more such hurdles might come up - this is India, after all !

Whats the deal with the shocking pink and flourescent green coulours on the turnstile ? They seem to be designed to be attractive to 12 year old girls  ! 

Ramesh

 Don't know to believe or not to, yesterday in an FM station they were telling testing on BYPL depot tracks will be done this weekend and BYPL to MG Road will be done starting from Dec 10.

Centre for Metro Rail Safety Commission (If I am right with the name) needs the trains to be run 3,000 kms for their testing. Hence trains have to make 3,000/14  (7kms one side, 14 to and fro) number of trips between BYPL to MGROAD for the certification.

MGRoad station work is going on in full swing as reported by radio and night traffic on the mgroad is blocked for the movement of Station construction vehicles.

Coaches for the second phase of the Bangalore metro will be provided by the unit of BEML located in Palakkad, Kerala. The Palakkad unit of BEML produces metro coaches, stainless steel EMU coaches, overhead inspection cars, utility vehicles, AC/DC electrical multiple units, broad-gauge rail bus and spoil disposal units for trains and coaches.

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-metro-coaches-will-come-from-palakkad_1478256

From Y'day's DH:

Even though providing feeder services for Metro was planned two years ago, the actual work is being hastened only now. 

BMTC Managing Director Syed Zameer Pasha told Deccan Herald: “We are working on the feeder routes and our aim is to finalise a foolproof service connecting vital areas to metro stations and terminals.” According to sources in BMTC, two preliminary meetings have already taken place in October. “We will soon announce the routes to the public,” they said.

So eagerly waiting to see that 'foolproof' service!...

I'm sure announcing the routes to the public few months before the actual start will help make it more foolproof - they'd get a chance to gauge user responses.

got all excited about the trial run and made it to byp at 4..spoke to the main engineer there..he mentioned that there were two runs today till CMH rd..

both the runs were made with manual signalling since the auto signals are not ready yet..

He mentioned that the next run all the way to MG road is only planned after Jan 20th.. so the official trial run is only to start around republic day!

Per this DH report today, BMRCL MD Shivasailam says Reach-1 will be ready for commercial operation by 15/March.

Quoting:

“After the Metro is inaugurated by the chief minister on January 24, we should be ready for commercial operations on Reach 1 by March 15. However, the final say in the commercial run will be subject to the government’s approval,” he said

Plaza end of MG Road station will be delayed. This DH report indicates that 

Commuters will have to temporarily use the “emergency exit” for alighting from the Metro while travelling from Byappanahalli towards MG Road and then reach the concourse below the tracks. “They will have to use the same side of the station on MG Road to exit the Metro till the completion of the Plaza structure,” the BMRCL managing director said.

After reach-1, per the same DH story, Reach 3 and 3A are next to open (swastik to YPR and YPR to Peenya Depot), by March/Apr next year.

BMRCL confirms Metro commercial launch on Ugadi day (4/Apr), per this DH Report today. 

Per the report, Mr. Sivasailam said.... “Who told you there is a delay, we can get the certificate in time to begin commercial operations by April.”

coaches come back with scratches on the sides..after a trial run..

more here

Hope they have the coaches are covered under insurance..

..also the inspecting railway ppl not budging afterall turned out to be a good thing..we really cannot afford a loaded train leaving the tracks and tumbling onto the road below!

Delay in security clearance, coaches damaged, stations on Reach 1 far from completion, UG work running behind schedule (correct?). Tired of hearing bits and pieces through trained journalists. BMRCL will do well to hold a public hearing of sorts to do some PR directly with the public.

A televised public hearing would be great. Just come clean, clarify on delays, give out latest ETAs for completions, reach by reach.

More details on Deccan Chronicle today. Again picture shown below is nice. They have been showing pictures for long now ;)

Note: Showing picture (Slang Kannada : ಪಿಕ್ಚರ್  ತೋರ್ಸೋದು ) means showing a lucerative future falsely, just to keep attraction on.

Reach 1 finally completed..

Thanks all for tracking and posting here, although with lesser activity in recent days. 

Let us continue to track other reaches closely.

If not on the first day, could ride the metro the second day today..will try to list my experience here..

10:50 AM  Reached MG road station on  my 2 wheeler..no parking available anywhere on MG road..I expected this and rode further on MG road 

11:00 AM reached HSBC bank near trinity station and parked my bike, not sure how many days they will entertain a parking customer there :P

11:05 rode the elevator and tapped my 'varshik' card at the gates..lots of people to help every where around..btw did not see any bus shuttles anywhere on MG road

11:11 the train arrived like a fast catterpillar..it was neat..not crowded..the announcements over the PA system was over lapping between opposite platforms as trains arrived on both sides..something need to be done about that..

11:22 was at the SV road station which is 3 stops away..the ride was very comfortable..but could hear the hard braking on CMH road as it turns because of the turning radius issues..we will need to live with that

11:30 was on the road at the SV road station..there were 2 shuttules waiting..but none going towards suranjan das road..flagged an auto..as usual the auto quotes 50 Rs for the 2 Km ride..refused to pay and walked to suranjan das road..

11:45 got a metro shuttle bus at the begining of suranjan das road who got me to my office in 2 min

The total cost for my journey was: 11 Rs for the metro ride and 4 for the bus shuttle

Lesson learnt is that to come to Bagmane...need to travel to Byp station for the shuttle..Byp is better connected!!

Would encourage all to try the metro soon!

After experimenting with different plants..looks like BMRCL has finally taken the cue from discussions above..

They are planting bouganvilla creepers below the viaduct..and have scrapped the other thought of having stainless steeel barricades..

Looks a good move..but still considering the amount of traffic MG road has..I am skeptical if those plants will survive either!

Last year on October 20th Namma Metro Services Started for the first time in Garden City. Reach 1 is already carrying 20,000 passengers daily with 90% of them being regular commuters. There are many suggestions for scope for improvements, but , I would say staff on Namma Metro has been highly professional.

Wish to have other reaches and underground stretch of Phase 1 complete ASAP and take up more and more passengers off the roads onto the rails. 

It is a happy news that Reach 4 will be planned to be started along with Reach 3 in mid 2013.

Sanjeev, Yeshwantpur Metro Station is integrated with Metro. It is right infront of Yeshwantpur Station and the escalator of Metro station right infront of Yeshwantpur Station. Sad thing is the BMTC's TTMC is not integrated and there is very little pedestrain facilities.

What was announced as a New Year’s gift to the city — the East West corridor of the Metro line connecting Byappanahalli and Mysuru Road — may take a ‘few more months’ to become operational.

Though trials on the stretch have been going on for the past two months, BMRCL said the Commissioner of Railway Safety, who has to give the final go ahead, is yet to be approached. Tentatively, Metro says the request may be sent only by January-end.

However, if one goes by the experience of the Magadi Road line, commencement of operations may be some months away. It took seven months after trials began for the CRS – who was preoccupied with other railway investigations – to give the green signal for the line.

For the trials in the underground section between M.G. Road station and Magadi Road station, Namma Metro had for the first time in India employed the Instrumented Measuring Wheel, a pair of wheels imported from Sweden which are fitted with GPS, gyroscope and many other modern instruments. They were fitted on a coach.

For over six nights, the coach zoomed on the lines at over 90kmph.

Officials were also testing the steep curves (around 120m radius between Minsk Square station and Vidhana Soudha, which is not seen in other metros).

Apart from over 75 engineers, members of the Research Designs & Standards Organization also took part in the tests.

Better prepared for Phase II

Learning from the struggles in burrowing underneath a city that sits on mounds of quartzite, granite and hard rock, BMRCL hopes to be better prepared for Phase II, which features a larger underground section. Phase I has 8 km of underground lines.

BMRCL officials said borewell rock testing for Phase I – to ascertain the kind of geology – was carried out at intervals of 100 metres along the line, depending on availability of space. However, with the second phase having 13.79-km of underground lines, metro officials said testing will be carried out at intervals of around 25 metres.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/dont-hold-your-breath-new-year-gift-is-a-few-months-away/article8104289.ece?ref=tpnews

 

The government should set up a commission to find out reasons behind the delay in execution of the 42-km-long Namma Metro Phase I project. The implementing agency should let people know on why there is a delay. Complexity of geology is not the reason

This is what metro man Sreedharan said yesterday about the metro work in Ph 1 Wonder what he meant and wonder if the whole thing will stay under wraps for ever!