Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is set to start the initial phases of land acquisition for the upcoming Phase 3 of the Namma Metro project.
The first stage involves identifying 100 acres of land for constructing a depot and viaducts along specific sections of the corridor.
Officials anticipate the commencement of a joint survey for the identified properties in the near future.
Phase 3 of the metro project will span 44.65 km with two elevated corridors and a total of 31 metro stations.
The first corridor, extending over 32.15 km along the western side of the Outer Ring Road, connecting J P Nagar’s fourth phase to Kempapura, will include 22 stations and will also connect to the Airport Line.
The second corridor, covering a distance of 12.5 km from Hosahalli to Kadabgere on Magadi Road, will feature nine stations.
The final approval for the project is currently pending with the central government. In compliance with directives from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, BMRCL has made adjustments to the rolling stock procurement process for the Magadi Road line.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 15,600 crore, and the state government granted approval for the project in November 2022.
Recently, the finance department has granted consent to initiate land acquisition, with the condition that the state cabinet’s approval is mandatory before incurring expenses related to compensating property owners.
According to an Economic Times report, the entire process of land acquisition and property possession is expected to take approximately six months.
Of the designated 100 acres, 75 acres are earmarked for the construction of a depot on Magadi Road near the Byadarahalli Police Station. This proposed depot is designed to serve both metro lines planned under Phase 3, and upon completion, it will become the largest metro depot in the city, second only to the existing 100-acre Peenya depot.
The alignment passes through Peenya, and plans include providing access to the existing Peenya depot. Additionally, 25 acres of land have been identified for the construction of viaducts.
A joint survey of these properties is imminent, and following this, a preliminary notification for the acquisition will be issued, as explained by a BMRCL official.
The official further stated that the planning section of BMRCL has been tasked with submitting land acquisition requirements for every 10 km of the proposed metro lines.
The alignment follows the median of the road, and for station construction, the planning section is finalising land requirements based on various considerations. Notifications for property acquisition will be issued for every 10-km stretch of the proposed lines.