The work on the much-sought-after Namma Metro line to the Kempegowda International Airport will commence in three months, and the civil works deal has been won by Hyderabad-based NCC Limited. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Managing Director Anjum Parwez told the media that the stretch will be done by the December 2024 deadline. Parwez said that they gave the Letter of Agreement to NCC Limited on Wednesday. The Phase-2B line is divided into three packages, all of which have been granted to NCC. The total agreement, which is estimated to be approximately Rs 2,200 crore, includes the development of a 38.44 km elevated line from KR Puram to Kempegowda International Airport (Blue Line). The opening of proposals had been postponed many times over the last one-and-a-half years because of Covid-19 and other reasons. The Union Cabinet on April 20, 2021, passed this line along with the Outer Ring Road Line for Rs 14,788 crore. Five firms had qualified in the technical proposals, which were opened in June this year. When the financial proposals were opened on September 14 2021, NCC had appeared as the lowest bidder. NCC has completed the civil works for BMRCL for the Phase-II line from Yelachenhalli to Silk Institute that was inaugurated on January 15, this year. General Manager of Land Acquisitions Department, BMRCL, MS Channappagoudar told the media that approximately 10% of needed land is yet to be procured for the line. They require about five acres near Shettygere depot near the Airport Trumpet, which is government land but is disputed by a family, and 2 acres at Hebbal from BMTC and bits and patches along the stretch. They have procured 2,91,470 sq m of land yet out of the 3,13,367 sqm required. Parwez additionally said that tree cutting and translocation works are pending in some parts on the line. Image Source Also read: Karnataka may revive plans to link high speed rail to B’luru airport