Pink Line (Namma Metro)

The Pink Line ( ಕನ್ನಡ : ಗುಲಾಬಿ ಬಣ್ಣದ ಮಾರ್ಗ) of Namma Metro is under construction and will form part of the metro rail network for the city of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The 21.25 km line connects Kalena Agrahara station (previously named Gottigere) on Bannerghatta road in the south with Nagawara station on Outer Ring road in the north. The Pink Line is mostly underground (13.92 km) but also has a 6.98 km elevated section and a 0.48 km at-grade (surface) section. There are 18 stations on the line of which 12 are underground and 6 are elevated.[1] Pink Line will have interchanges with the Purple Line at MG Road station and at Jayadeva Hospital station with the Yellow Line which is also under construction.[2]

Pink Line ಗುಲಾಬಿ ಬಣ್ಣದ ಮಾರ್ಗ
Overview
Other name(s)Namma Metro
Native nameNamma Metro
OwnerBangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL)
LocaleBangalore, Karnataka, India
TerminiGottigere
Nagawara
Stations18
Websitebmrc.co.in
Service
TypeMetro
SystemNamma Metro
Depot(s)Kothanur
History
Planned openingMarch 2023 (2023-03)
Technical
Line length21.25 km (13.20 mi)
Number of tracks2
CharacterElevated, At Grade and Underground
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail

History

In 2007, as follow up to the Metro Phase that was about to begin construction then, RITES had recommended several mono-rail routes totaling 60 km. These recommendations were made as Government of Karnataka requested a survey of feeder routes for Phase l of metro that was to begin construction. One of the routes was entirely on Bannerghatta Road from Bannerghatta National Park up to its northern end at Hosur Road (near Adugodi).[3] At that stage, Bannerghatta Road was not expected to have high growth and dense population, hence the recommendation for Monorail. However, by 2010 itself, it became apparent that Bannerghatta Road would need a higher capacity system than a monorail. Also, Karnataka government did not favor a monorail system and preferred expansion of the Metro system. Accordingly, for its Phase ll, BMRC had requested DMRC for a DPR for the route between[4] Bannerghatta to Yelahanka via

  • Jayadeva Underpass, Hosur Road, Brigade Road, MG Road,
  • Kamaraj Road, Tannery Road, Nagavara Junction (along Outer Ring Road), Sahakara Nagar, Vidyaranyapura to Yelahanka.
  • Jayamahal Extension, RT Nagar, Nagavara Junction (along Outer Ring Road), Sahakara Nagar to Yelahanka.

The DPR had noted that the Metro Alignment may have to go underground after Jayadeva flyover (along Bannerghatta Road) up to Nagavara junction (along Outer Ring Road). The remaining portion could be elevated.

Planning

Since there were plans for a line along Outer Ring Road and also the possibility that a link to Airport may have to be routed along Airport Road (passing Yelahanka), BMRC opted to terminate the Pink Line in Phase ll at Nagavara.

Land requirement was estimated at around 50 hectares and Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) was tasked with acquiring land on behalf of BMRC. A total of 690 trees were to be cut to build the line (438 trees for the elevated section and 252 trees for the underground stretch).[5]

On 14 July 2017, BMRC unveiled the alignment of the 13.92 km underground section of the line. The alignment included a modification from the original plan - Cantonment metro station had been proposed to be constructed on Indian Railways land next to Cantonment railway station. Due to technicalities (steep gradient between Shivajinagar and Cantonment, sharp curve past the old location of Cantonment Station, construction below structures, difficulty acquiring land and very high costs of demolishing several properties in the area), BMRC opted to shift Cantonment Metro Station.[6] Cantonment Metro Station would instead be built under a playground belonging to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), near Bamboo Bazaar.[2][7][8]

This was resented by sections of the public as the new location would be further away from the entrance of Cantonment station. SWR is however planning new suburban platforms on railways land that is towards the Metro station. A skywalk or pedestrian subway is being planned to connect the Metro station to Cantonment Railway Station.[9]

The MG Road station on the Pink Line is to be located under Kamaraj Road and will serve as an interchange station with the Purple Line.[2]

Tendering

Due to long underground section with tunneling in difficult geology, the cost of the Pink Line was expected to be high. Total cost estimates for the line were ₹11,014 crore (US$1.5 billion) in March 2017 (most expensive line in Phase ll).[10][11] BMRC initially floated tenders for the construction of the 13.9 km underground section in four packages during June 2017. However, all bids received were too high (65-75% higher).[12][13]

Initial

Tendering

 Estimated

by BMRC

 Bids Received (₹ /crores)
L&T ITD-Cem Afcons Gulermak
Package-1 1268.90 2337.93 2223.40^ 2311.34
Package-2 1325.97 2333.71 2349.70 2311.11 2219.86^
Package-3 1334.83 2237.58^ 2373.35 2361.32 2341.32
Package-4 1117.86 1872.47^ 2010.95 1994.41
Total 5047.56 4571.29* 8933.45 8906.78 8866.93
*L&T bid for only two packages; ^Lowest Bid.

Since bids were too high, all tenders for the underground section had been canceled by BMRC on 26 March 2018. There was speculation of collusion as bids were similar and each bidder had quoted lowest for one package, thus all four might get to be awarded one package each.

The second round of tendering resulted in bids that were closer to estimates by BMRC and were awarded to three firms during February–November period, 2019. One of the firms (L&T) won two bids.[14] The total awarded tunneling tenders for the underground sections was ₹5,925.95 crores (appx US$812 million).

2nd Tendering Section Length Successful Bid /Cost Contractor Award
Reach 6 UG Pkg-1 South Ramp /Dairy Circle - Langford Town 3.65 km ₹1,526.33 crore (US$218 million) Afcons 06 Nov 2019
Reach 6 UG Pkg-2 Nat'l Military School - Shivajinagar 2.76 km ₹1,329.14 crore (US$190 million) L&T 28 Feb 2019
Reach 6 UG Pkg-3 Shivajinagar - Tannery Road 2.88 km ₹1,299.23 crore (US$180 million) L&T 28 Feb 2019
Reach 6 UG Pkg-4 Tannery Road - Nagawara North Ramp 4.59 km ₹1,771.25 crore (US$253 million) ITD-Cem 06 Nov 2019
Total South Ramp /Dairy Circle - Nagawara /North Ramp 13.9 km ₹5,925.95 crore (US$841 million)

Construction

In March 2017, BMRC had floated tender for construction of the 7.5 km elevated section between Kalena Agrahara (previously Gottigere) and Tavarekere (previously Swagat Cross) stations for construction of the elevated section of Pink Line with viaduct, five stations and depot entry line to Kothanur depot.[15][16] The tender was awarded to Simplex Constructions for 578.70 crores on 8 September 2017.[17]

Pre-tunneling construction work and piling for stations began in May 2019 by L&T. Tunnel boring using TBMs began in July 2020 by L&T. L&T uses four TBMs named Avni, Lavi, Urja and Vindhya. The first two are being used for tunnel boring southwards from Shivajinagar towards National Military School. The other two will begin boring southwards from Cantonment to Shivajinagar. Later, they will be boring northwards from Cantonment towards Tannery Road.

Tunnel boring work by the other two contractors (viz. Afcons & ITD-Cem) is expected to commence during early-2021.

Funding

In May 2017, BMRC received in-principle approval from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to fund construction of the Kalena Agrahara-Nagawara line through a ₹3,700 crore (US$520 million) loan.[18] The BMRC secured an agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on 4 June 2019 to receive a soft loan of ₹2,255.14 crore (US$320 million) to be repaid over a period of 25 years.[19] The line will also be funded by the Central and State Governments.[20]

Stations

The Pink Line will have 18 stations, of which 12 are underground and 6 are elevated.

Pink Line
# Station Name Status Connections Layout
EnglishKannada
1 Kalena Agrahara ಕಲೆನಾ ಅಗ್ರಹಾರ Under Construction Elevated
2 Hulimavu ಹುಲಿಮಾವು Under Construction Elevated
3 IIMB ಐಐಎಂಬಿ Under Construction Elevated
4 JP Nagar 4th Phase ಜೆಪಿ ನಗರ 4 ನೇ ಹಂತ Under Construction Elevated
5 Jayadeva Hospital ಜಯದೇವ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ Under Construction   Yellow Line (Under Construction) Elevated
6 Tavarekere ತವರೇಕೆರೆ Under Construction Elevated
7 Dairy Circle ಡೈರಿ ಸರ್ಕಲ್ Under Construction Underground
8 Lakkasandra ಲಕ್ಕಸಂದ್ರ Under Construction Underground
9 Langford Town ಲ್ಯಾಂಗ್ಫೋರ್ಡ್ ಟೌನ್ Under Construction Underground
10 National Military School ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಮಿಲಿಟರಿ ಶಾಲೆ Under Construction Underground
11 Mahatma Gandhi Road ಮಹಾತ್ಮ ಗಾಂಧಿ ರಸ್ತೆ Under Construction   Purple Line Underground
12 Shivaji Nagar ಶಿವಾಜಿ ನಗರ Under Construction Underground
13 Cantonment ಕಂಟೋನ್ಮೆಂಟ್ Under Construction Cantonment Railway Station Underground
14 Pottery Town ಕುಂಬಾರಿಕೆ ಪಟ್ಟಣ Under Construction Underground
15 Tannery Road ಟ್ಯಾನರಿ ರಸ್ತೆ Under Construction Underground
16 Venkateshpura ವೆಂಕಟೇಶಪುರ Under Construction Underground
17 Kadugundanahalli ಕಡುಗುಂಡನಹಳ್ಳಿ Under Construction Underground
18 Nagawara ನಾಗವಾರ Under Construction   Blue Line (Proposed) Underground

See also

References
  1. bmrc.co.in/pdf/phase2/phase2forweb.pdf
  2. "Know the location of new Pink Line metro stations". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  3. "Bangalore Monorail | Bangalore High Speed Rail". Karnataka.com. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  4. "DPR Phase-2" (PDF).
  5. Menezes, Naveen (6 July 2017). "Civic work to start in a year: Metro Phase II boasts of most expensive underground line". The Economic Times. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  6. "BMRCL justifies not constructing metro station near Cantonment railway station, face public ire". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  7. "Metro: New alignment for longest underground stretch". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  8. "Location of proposed Cantt Metro station moved by 300 metres". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  9. "Bengaluru Cantonment to be suburban rail terminal". Deccan Herald. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  10. "Gottigere-Nagawara Metro line estimated to cost Rs 11,014 crore". The Economic Times. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  11. "BMRCL to construct a 11,014 Cr metro line in Bengaluru". Dalal Street Investment Journal. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  12. "Bangalore Metro bids for Phase II". www.tunneltalk.com. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  13. Menezes, Naveen. "High cost forces BMRCL to cancel underground tenders". The Economic Times. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  14. "Bangalore Metro Phase II moves ahead". www.tunneltalk.com. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  15. "Tenders called for Metro phase 2 stations". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  16. "Dairy Circle to Nagawara metro link announced, but it won't be quick – Bangalore Mirror -". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  17. "Simplex Infrastructures emerge L1 Bidder in tender for Metro Rail stretch on Bannerghatta Road – RailNews Media India Ltd". Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  18. "Rs 3,700-cr loan likely for Nagawara-Gottigere line". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  19. "Rs 2K cr boost for Phase-II BMRCL underground network". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  20. Briginshaw, David. "India seeks EIB loan for Bangalore metro Line 4". International Rail Journal. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
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