Times News Network

Bangalore, Oct 21: Come November, the Metro Rail project will enter a more visible phase. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) will begin erecting piers above the ground level on M G Road. However, the work along Old Madras Road is bound to suffer a delay of four weeks due to a litigation pending before the Supreme Court over land acquisition.

V Madhu, managing director of BMRC, said that the proposed Metro terminal and main depot is planned to be set up on 63 acres of land. While we have acquired 30 acres from the Nuclear Power Corporation, we are yet to acquire 33 acres of land belonging to NGEF."

The BMRC is now keeping its fingers crossed as the apex court has posted the hearing on the case for October 29. "In March 2007, the auction of 140-odd acres of NGEF land was put off by the liquidator after the state government sought permission from the High Court to acquire the land for Metro Rail. However, one of the successful bidders challenged the HC order before the Supreme Court. The apex court has now asked the HC to maintain status quo," explained Madhu. "We will wait for the SC ruling before tendering the work," he added.

Work on the M G Road segment has been as per schedule. "The underground work to sink piers is almost through. We will start erecting piers in the next fortnight. However, work on the station proposed near Trinity Circle will commence only after four months," added Madhu.