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Swarajya Staff
Apr 02, 2019, 01:26 PM | Updated 01:26 PM IST
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After much delays owing to various issues, Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is now closer to being linked by the metro.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd has finalised a deal with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to acquire set to receive 1.05 lakh square metre of land along NH 44 (Ballari Road), The Hindu has reported.
BMRCL paid Rs 141 crore to NHAI for acquiring the land. The metro to airport route would run on a 55 km long track and originate at the Silk Board in South Bengaluru. Two underground metro stations would be constructed at the airport premises. In total, the route will have 17 stations, and K R Puram would work as an interchange.
The Metro officials are currently preparing a detailed project report, and the inauguration date has been set to 2023.
“The land was initially acquired for the high-speed rail link corridor but later it was decided that a metro line would be built. Now, the BMRCL has made the payment and discussions are being held on the collection of interest charged”, a senior NHAI official was quoted as saying.
The project is expected to cost Rs 12,000 crore and was conceptualised over 10 years ago but has suffered repeated delays due to land acquisition issues and rising costs.