The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) is exploring new ways of earning additional revenue from the 72-km second phase of Namma Metro project being constructed at a cost of Rs 32,000 crore.
“There is potential to exploit space in the depots for commercial purposes. The proposal requires meticulous planning and we are exploring the idea. The final decision will be taken only after a thorough study,” BL Yashwanth Chavan, Chief Public Relations Officer at BMRCL, told Economic Times.
The BMRCL has borrowed nearly Rs 5,000 crore for the 42-km Phase I — which has been completed — and plans to borrow Rs 8,500 crore for Phase II from international lenders.
Other than the revenue generated from ticket sales, a significant amount of income comes from property development.
While no commercial development took place in the two depots of Phase I (Baiyappanahalli, consisting of 25 acres, and Peenya, spread over 100 acres), the BMRCL is looking at exploring the idea in the Phase II depots.
For Phase II, Metro authorities have planned five depots on over 160 acres of land on the outskirts of the city. While the BMRCL is planning to acquire more than 45 acres in Kadugodi and Challaghatta, the depots in Hebbagodi and Kothanur will have 35 acres each.
“Only the depots that are closer to the road can be taken up for commercial use. Some areas in the depots could be used commercially by going vertical. The proposal appears to be feasible in Kadugodi, Challaghatta and Hebbagodi,” a senior BMRCL official said. An ideal depot, he said, requires about 35 acres of land.
(ends)