All that glitters is Metro attraction in city

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is optimistic that Metro will successfully attract commuters despite the 18-month delay.  “Curiosity will bring many commuters to Metro,” said U A Vasant Rao, General Manager, Finance, BMRCL. While the target to complete the Reach 1 was 5-and-a-half-years, BMRCL has completed the project in 6 years, 4 months and 5 days.  Vasant Rao adds that the delay had nothing to do with the execution of the project, but with other formalities like safety inspection and delays related to the decision on inauguration date.Speaking to Express, he clarifies that the delay will only postpone the income but will not result in loss. “What the delay means is that Metro’s income is delayed, not lost. The delay has caused a general economic loss for the country,” he added. The work on the 6.7 km route between M G Road and Byappanahalli began on April 15 2007, and the phase 1 will be open to the public on October 20 after 4 pm.  “Now that we have completed work on Reach 1, we are more confident of our team effort,” he opined.