Recently, I came across this wide-ranging article on Bangalore, excuse me, I meant Bengaluru in Frontline, the Hindu publication. Titled ‘Gathering Pace’ I feel its one of the best, comprehensive articles that has been written on the (pathetic) state of Bangalore’s infrastructure and what’s being attempted / done on a ground level to solve all / some of them.

Some of the public agencies which the article covers are the BBMP, BDA, BMRC, BMTC, BWSSB etc. Do check out the article for worthwhile reading.

I’m reproducing a couple of points here about Bangalore’s Project Namma Metro which make interesting reading, though they are already in the public domain:

– 2.5 million vehicles on Bangalore Roads
– 900 being added everyday
– The city should have got an MRTS “at least 15 years ago”.
– In 1994, a study commissioned by the Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited suggested a public-private
partnership model and even selected a partner. None of these projects took off.
– Fares are expected to be between Rs.7 and Rs.15.
– 6,395 crore, with funding coming by way of equity (Rs.1,918.50 crore) and subordinate debt (Rs.1,598.75
crores) from both the State and Central governments – and senior term debt (Rs.2,877.75 crore). While 17 per
cent of senior term debt will come from a consortium of Indian banks led by UTI Bank, the remaining 28 per cent is
from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
– Under the present plan, 138 acres will be acquired from the Centre and 32.22 acres from the State government. In
addition, 27 acres will be acquired from private owners at a cost of Rs.566 crore.
– The underground tunnelling itself is estimated to cost Rs.1,300 crore.
– BMRCL has listed over 6,500 tasks that must be completed before project completion in March 2010
– The BMRCL has appointed a consortium of general consultants at a cost of Rs.212 crore.
– Over the next six years, the consortium will offer 9,000 man months of design and management advice and
supervise the project.

One cannot help but chuckle at this printer’s devil within the article. This picture accompanied in the article is described as ” A view of Bangalore’s Metro station and tracks”

Here are a couple of pictures taken recently on M.G Road, where work – starting with barricading – has increased on Namma Metro. V Madhu, Managing Director of BMRC, said, “The work on M G Road will be completed in around 10 months. The barricades will remain till then.”

Article cross-posted here