Alter metro plans to avoid destruction: MLA

Alter metro plans to avoid destruction: MLA
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The coming of Metro to the city is fast turning into a political exercise as dozens of buildings are facing the sledgehammer. Owners of these building have been meeting politicians to save their property.

Former MLA Pramila Nesargi (BJP) had inspected the area and spoken to the residents earlier this week. On Friday, Binnypet MLA V Somanna, went around and inspected parts of his constituency which fall under the metro alignment.

Somanna who inspected parts of Mysore Road said at least 135 properties would be demolished. But, Magadi Road will face the brunt of the problem, he said.

“Being a business area, many families will be affected due to the loss of their daily livelihood,” he said. There should be a solution to this problem, he said. The metro will be underground from the Leprosy Hospital at the end of Magadi Road.

Since most properties that needed to be demolished are near the Prasanna Theatre toll-gate, it would be better if the metro went underground from Prasanna Theatre itself, he suggested. “I have apprised metro officials about this,” he said.

Somanna said he was even prepared to speak to government to provide for the cost escalation if company considers the proposal.

For the Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited exceutive director M.S Nagendrappa, it is not the 30 percent escalation that is causing concern: “Cost was never a problem. We will have to study the feasibility of this proposal,” he said.