Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has commenced the restoration process at the Vidhana Soudha underground metro station site even as civil works of the station have reached the final stages.
On the periphery of the station box, the contractor — CEC-Soma-CICI Joint Venture — has commenced the gap filling process. Each time about 25 cm of soil layer is laid, water treated and compacted with a machine.
The soil is tested to check whether it has achieved the desired density and, if not, again subjected to compacting to avoid any caving in of earth, explained D.N. Devendra, Section Engineer of the General Consultant (RITES as the lead consultant) of the project.
Asked whether the excavated soil is used for refilling, BMRCL Deputy Chief (Underground) Subrahmanya Gudge said: “The excavated material is dumped far away. Rocky material cannot be used for refilling.”
Quality soil
The fine quality soil of the neighbouring Cubbon Park underground station was stored on BRV Parade Grounds and some of it is being used. The contractor is also sourcing good soil from elsewhere, he said.
Mr. Gudge said the top 4 m of soil above the station has to be good red soil.
The refilling involves restoration of the site to its original position — two-lane Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Road and lawns in front of the Vidhana Soudha and the High Court of Karnataka.
The entire process is expected to be completed in about nine months, he added.
There will be two entries/exits on either side of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Veedhi facing Vidhana Soudha and the High Court.
While the road being reconstructed, provisions will be made for bus bays close to the entries/exits.
At the same time, work on the ancillary building that houses air-conditioning and ventilation machinery for the Vidhana Soudha underground station is also going on in a swift pace. Located close to the old KGID building in Cubbon Park, a major portion of this building would be underground — at the level of the station — for smooth passage of pipelines, Mr. Gudge said.
