BENGALURU: The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is set to initiate the process for acquiring properties for Namma Metro‘s Orange Line, linking JP Nagar 4th Phase to Kempapura.
Under the first package of the project, 299 private properties have been identified for acquisition to facilitate the construction of an elevated corridor from JP Nagar 4th Phase to Mysuru Road. The list of identified properties have been sent to Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), which will issue preliminary notification for acquiring the properties for Namma Metro.
A BMRCL official said, “The construction of an elevated corridor for a length of 32.2km will be taken up in three packages: JP Nagar 4th Phase to Mysuru Road; Mysuru Road to Kanteerava Studio and Kanteerava Studio to Kempapura.”
The first package alone requires the acquisition of 299 private and 29 govt properties. “After completing surveys, details of the private properties have been sent for issuing preliminary notification,” the official added. The notice is expected to be issued in a few weeks for property owners to raise objections. There are no high-rise buildings in the way of alignment but there are many commercial buildings, mostly three-storey structures.
On JP Nagar 4th Phase to Mysuru Road stretch, BMRCL has proposed stations at eight locations, including Dwaraka Nagar, Hosakerehalli, Kamakhya Junction, Kadirenahalli, and JP Nagar. Besides Metro stations and viaducts, properties have also been identified for building a 3-km double-decker flyover at Kanakpura Road Junction and Kamakhya Junction, as part of the original project design.
To build 32.2-km elevated Metro line, BMRCL will need to acquire 1,031 properties, covering a total area of 1.43 lakh sqm. This figure does not include the land required for the depot. An official stated, “A feasibility study is on for the recently proposed double-decker flyover along the route. If the govt decides to go ahead with the plan to construct it, additional land will be required.”
Initially, BMRCL had identified 75 acres near Byadarahalli police station to build a Metro depot. This land was also earmarked for staffers’ residential quarters. However, a court ruling revealed that the land was privately owned, complicating acquisition.
“Acquiring private land in Bengaluru is an expensive affair,” noted a BMRCL official. To reduce costs, BMRCL is now considering limiting the depot to 40-45 acres and scrapping plans to build staff quarters. “The management is also contemplating buying flats from BDA residential projects in nearby areas,” the official added.
