BENGALURU (Metro Rail & Steel): In a notable gesture of support for public infrastructure, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has garnered over 16,000 square meters of premium land from eight private companies in Bengaluru, significantly aiding the Metro project. The voluntary land donations by these companies stand out as a remarkable act of goodwill, leading to substantial cost savings estimated at approximately Rs 175 crore for the BMRCL.
Four of the contributing firms—AMR Tech Park, Total Environment Building Systems, Prestige Notting Hill Investments, and Vikas Telecom Pvt Ltd—have selflessly opted not to receive any financial compensation for their land, presenting it as a gift to the Metro project. Munireddy, the owner of AMR Tech Park, highlighted the significance of the Metro for their employees and expressed optimism for the project’s timely completion.
The other four firms—Infosys, Biocon, RMZ Infotech, and Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF)—have engaged in a unique arrangement with the BMRCL. They received either full or partial portions of their contributed land back from the Metro project for a token fee of Rs 1,000 per year for 99 years. BMRCL officials clarified that the leased land comes with specific conditions, limiting its usage to non-commercial purposes such as campus access or developing unused land for gardens or parking post the Metro project’s completion.
furthermore, Infosys and Biocon are not only contributing land but also financially supporting the Metro project. Both companies are funding the construction of separate Metro stations on Hosur Road. Infosys is taking an extra step by erecting an air-conditioned foot-over bridge on the ‘leased’ land, linking its campus to the upcoming Konappana Agrahara Metro station. This collaborative effort between private entities and the BMRCL marks a blend of altruism and strategic planning. The initiative aims to fortify public infrastructure while accommodating the needs and concerns of the contributing firms.
