After many delays, Metro Plaza concourse to open in November

After missing several deadlines, the BMRCL authorities are finally gearing up for the opening of the Plaza (theatre) concourse on Church Street in November.

Owing to the delay in construction work by the contractor, the launch deadlines were overshot twice.

However, the BMRCL officials claim that the work is going on in full swing and that 60 per cent of the project is already completed. The Plaza concourse will be thrown open to the public in November, they said.

Once completed, the concourse will be a direct passageway from the MG Metro station to Church Street. Commuters will no longer have to cross the busy roads. There is already a skywalk in place over MG Road.

 It will become operational when the Plaza concourse is unveiled. In fact, what is being readied is not just a direct entry or exit to the Metro station but also a whole shopping arcade with retail shops and restaurants.

The 15,000 sq ft space available on the Manekshaw Parade Ground is completed, while the 10,000 sq ft available on the Church Street side is currently under construction. As per the BMRCL proposal, this space will house the shopping arcade.

Tender to be finalised

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd had called for an Expression of Interest (EoI) to set up branded retail outlets at the station three months ago. Based on the EoI, the tender is soon to be finalised.

The MG Road–Baiyappanahalli stretch became operational on October 20, 2011, and the whole structure was supposed to be completed within a year, but it has already overshot two deadlines. 

Commuters now pin their hopes on the November deadline to shop while they cross the skywalk to reach the other side.