After having waited for nearly a half decade, can the commuter in the city zip underneath crowded areas in the metro by March 2016, the latest deadline given for the entire Namma Metro network to be ready?
BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola certainly thinks so. On Monday, tunnel boring machine Krishna broke through at Chikpet metro station at 5.02 p.m., Mr. Kharola said adding that all tunnelling works will be completed by February next year.
After a total operational period of 20 months drilling from K.R. Market to Chikpet, Krishna emerged covered in slurry from the tunnel. It will now undergo repairs for 45 days before being pressed into service again — drilling towards Majestic.
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“ Trials on the East-West corridor (Byappanahalli to Mysuru Road) will begin by September end. We will commence operations by December end,” Mr. Kharola said. Operations between Jayanagar and Putenahalli on the North South corridor would begin by February, he added.
BMRCL will now focus on tunnelling towards Majestic and will put all tunnel boring machines into service to achieve this objective. “Margarita is at the most advanced stage and will reach Majestic in one and half months. Kaveri is tunnelling from Chikpet and Majestic station. It will reach in four to four-and-a-half months. Godavari will start drilling in 2-3 days from north ramp towards Majestic,” Mr. Kharola said.
In the meantime, BMRCL announced that it would be constructing three subways on the Peenya stretch, which would enable users to cross the road. The subways would come up near the Nagasandra, Dasarahalli and Jalahalli stations.
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