Metro phase-I deadline pushed to Sept 2015.

The entire 42-km first phase of the Bangalore Metro Rail project that was earlier projected for completion in March 2015 will now be completed by September 2015, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) managing director Pradeep Kharola claimed recently even as he announced that tendering for the 72 km phase II of the project would begin within two months.

'By November this year Reach 3 and Reach 3 A that is operational till Peenya will be extended upto Hesaraghatta Main Road and the distance of 6.52 kilometres between Magadi Road to Mysore Road will be completed by December 2014,' Kharola said speaking at an interaction organized by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).

Commenting on the progress of work in the project Kharola said that delays had arisen due to the short stretch of underground work on the East West corridor that is scheduled to be completed by March 2015. Kharola attributed the cost escalation for Phase I from the initial Rs. 11,600 crores to Rs. 13,800 crores to the almost doubling of the cost of land procurement from Rs. 1,400 crores to Rs. 2200 crores and the fluctuating rupee in recent years.

Indian Express