Work on the underground section of Namma Metro’s Phase-1 has hit a hurdle with litigation over land acquisition. Work on some of the crucial stretches has been affected and this could delay the launch of Metro Phase-1. At a few of these locations, the work is behind schedule by over 10 months. At Minsk Square, litigations have stalled the underground work for more than eight months. “The progress at Minsk Square is slow and behind schedule. It can affect the overall completion schedule of underground station. The high court is likely to hear the case this month,” a senior Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd official said.
Another crucial point where the Metro has hit the wall is the Swastik Metro station in Malleswaram. Judgment on the litigation over land acquisition here too is pending before the high court. Work on the next Reach, which is about to be launched, too is getting delayed due to land issues. Along Reach-3b, construction work along a 500 metre stretch has been held up due to litigations over the land acquisition. Reach-3 of Namma Metro is scheduled to be launched in December 2012. But the hurdles may delay the launch again as it happened in Reach-1. “BMRCL has requested for an early disposal of cases. Litigations have affected the viaduct work at Dasarahalli. We hope to get through the case before it affects schedule,” said the official.