Latest news with #BengaluruMetroRailCorporationLimited
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt reduced land allotted to Metro for real estate lobby: Min
Bengaluru: Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje has accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of reducing the land allotted to the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) from 46 acres to just 9 acres in the prime Hebbal area in Bengaluru to 'benefit' the real estate lobby and illegal immigrants. The area falls under the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency, which MoS Karandlaje represents. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the site, where a proposed multimodal transport hub was to be developed, MoS Karandlaje said, 'We are in the Hebbal area of Bengaluru. In 2000, under the leadership of then CM late S.M. Krishna, 51 acres of land in the Hebbal-Amanikere area were acquired. After encroachments, 48 acres remain today. Just a month ago, the current government decided to hand over this land to BMRCL for the development of a multimodal transport hub.' 'However, very recently, the allotment was reduced to just 9 acres. Why was this done? Why did the government backtrack from its original decision to allocate 48 acres and now grant only 9? Who is behind this decision? Which real estate mafia is influencing this move? Let us not forget - this land is situated en route to the Bengaluru International Airport,' she said. Emphasising the strategic importance of the location, she said, 'This is going to be a major junction. A Metro station, BMTC depot, Ring Road connection, and NHAI roads are all planned here. The area is ideal for a multimodal transport hub that can significantly ease traffic congestion on the airport road.' 'But now, the government and the minister in charge have colluded to override the previous decision. How much money exchanged hands? How much was given to Randeep Singh Surjewala? These questions need answers,' she said. She added that local farmers, who had given up their land for development, are now demanding it back if it is going to be handed over to private parties. 'People from various states have settled here. There are Bengalis, Rohingyas. Anti-national activities are reportedly taking place. Garbage and bottles from across Bengaluru are dumped here. No one knows who these people are. Many claim to be from Kolkata and possess Aadhaar cards, some of which are fake, along with fake voter ID cards. They claim to have lived here for 10 to 15 years,' MoS Karandlaje said.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Ravishankar J. appointed as new MD of BMRCL
Ahead of the opening of the long-awaited Yellow Line of Namma Metro, the Karnataka government on Friday has appointed Ravishankar J., a 2001-batch IAS officer, as the new Managing Director of the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). He succeeded M. Maheshwar Rao, IAS, who was relieved from the additional responsibility. Mr. Ravishankar was serving as the Secretary in the Agriculture Department. A graduate of dental surgery, Mr. Ravishankar has held various positions across the State, including Secretary of the Housing Department and Special Commissioner at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). His past roles include stints at the Urban Development Department, Municipal Administration, Kannada and Culture, and Urban Housing departments. He has previously served as Deputy Commissioner in multiple districts. Mr. Ravishankar faces the challenge of opening the long-awaited Yellow Line at the earliest, as public patience continues to wear out. Although the line is physically complete, the BMRCL has missed multiple deadlines to make it operational. The corporation is now planning to open it in August. Mr. Ravishankar will have to tackle the task of ensuring timely completion of the under-construction Pink and Blue Lines of the Bengaluru Metro. e.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru Metro fare hike: Karnataka HC issues notices to state government, BMRCL
The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the state government, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), and the Union government to respond to a legal plea demanding the public release of a key report that led to Bengaluru's recent metro fare hike, Indian Express reported. The court has given the parties two weeks to submit their replies.(PTI File Photo) The petition, filed by Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, argues that commuters have a right to know the basis on which fares were raised earlier this year, an increase that briefly made Namma Metro the costliest in the country. The court has given the parties two weeks to submit their replies. (Also Read: Bengaluru woman arrested for boiling newborn alive after it 'refused milk and cried nonstop': Report) Surya's petition raises concerns over BMRCL's refusal to publish the report of the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), which was submitted in December 2024. The committee, chaired by former judge R Tharani, had studied pricing models from metros across India and abroad, including Singapore and Hong Kong, before recommending fare revisions. Though BMRCL acknowledged receiving the report and implemented fare hikes on February 9 this year, raising maximum fares from ₹60 to ₹90, the report has yet to be shared with the public. Following criticism, including from elected representatives and commuters, BMRCL made partial fare rollbacks on February 14, limiting the hike to 71%. Surya's counsel told the court that despite multiple representations made between April and May, BMRCL has failed to disclose the report, claiming it is awaiting government approval, the report further added. During the hearing, Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav expressed concern over the agency's inaction and asked the petitioner's lawyer why even a Member of Parliament was unable to obtain the report. In a post on social media platform X, Surya criticised the BMRCL's opacity: 'The public deserves to know the contents of this report. Ideally, it shouldn't require the High Court's intervention.' He urged the metro authority to release the report without further delay. Fellow Bengaluru MP P C Mohan echoed the demand, stating, 'Transparency shouldn't require a court order. Bengaluru commuters deserve to know how metro fares are fixed.' The petition also cites practices from other Indian metro networks, including Mumbai and Hyderabad, where fare-related reports have been made publicly accessible. Surya contends that BMRCL, being a public body, is bound to uphold transparency and not burden citizens with arbitrary fare decisions. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing in two weeks. (Also Read: Karnataka woman duped of ₹3.16 crore in 'digital arrest' scam by fake police)
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru's Yellow Line Metro may open by August 15, says BMRCL Chief: Report
After months of anticipation, the Bengaluru Metro's much-delayed Yellow Line, which connects RV Road to Bommasandra via Electronic City, is now expected to open by August 15, according to top officials at the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), Indian Express reported. BMRCL Managing Director Maheshwar Rao.(X/M Maheshwar Rao) The announcement follows a citizen-led protest rally organized by BJP MPs and MLAs on Saturday, demanding the immediate commissioning of the stretch. (Also read: 'Bengaluru existed before IT boom': Viral post counters city's retirement-town label) The event, held under the banner 'Yellow Line na open maadi (Open Yellow Line)', drew attention to growing commuter frustration over the delay in connecting major tech and industrial corridors of the city. BMRCL Managing Director Maheshwar Rao said the Yellow Line has received its third train, and final testing is currently underway. Since the corridor is designed for driverless, automated trains, an independent safety assessment is in progress, the report further added. According to the publication, due to limited rolling stock availability, operations on the Yellow Line will begin on a modest scale. Only three trains will be available initially, with a 20-minute headway between services. The trains will stop at five to six key stations during the early phase. Rao added that full-scale service will be ramped up gradually. BMRCL is expecting two new trains every month from August onwards from the Titagarh Rail System. Data on ridership and commuter flow to Bommasandra will inform future adjustments. Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, who spearheaded the protest alongside Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan, also demanded transparency from BMRCL on its fare pricing strategy. A recent fare fixation report recommending over 100% hike in Metro fares has drawn criticism from commuters, prompting calls for the report to be made public. (Also Read: 'Why is she even here?': Canara Bank official faces backlash for not understanding Kannada. Watch)
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru Metro to suspend services between Indiranagar and Baiyappanahalli on Sunday. Check details
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced a brief suspension of services on a section of the Purple Line this Sunday, July 6, to carry out scheduled maintenance. Normal operations on the full Purple Line are expected to resume from 8 am onwards.(X/@bykarthikreddy) Metro trains will not operate between Indiranagar and Baiyappanahalli stations between 7 am and 8 am. This includes Swami Vivekananda Metro Station, which lies within the affected stretch. (Also Read: DK Suresh says CM hopes 'still alive' for brother DK Shivakumar amid ongoing buzz) Services on all other sections of Namma Metro, including Challaghatta to Indiranagar, Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield (Kadugodi), and Madavara to Silk Institute, will run as per the regular Sunday schedule starting 7 am. Normal operations on the full Purple Line are expected to resume from 8 am onwards. BMRCL has urged commuters to plan their travel accordingly and expressed regret for the inconvenience. Yellow line update After years of waiting, Bengaluru's much-anticipated Yellow Line—connecting RV Road to Bommasandra—is finally expected to open in early August, according to a report by Deccan Herald. The 19.15-km corridor promises to transform connectivity across the city's southern belt, linking crucial hubs such as Jayadeva Hospital, Silk Board Junction, and Electronics City. The new line will serve as a major boost for daily commuters traveling between residential and tech-heavy zones. Delays in the project were primarily attributed to a shortage of train sets and the need for regulatory clearance of its driverless operations. The Yellow Line uses an automated system that requires Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) certification before commercial services can begin. Currently, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has only three trains designated for the Yellow Line. Once operational, these trains will stop at all 16 stations and are expected to run at 25-minute intervals initially, the Deccan Herald report added. (Also Read: 'No roads, no rage': Viral Bengaluru post claims 99.99% drop in road rage, triggers laugh riot)
