Don’t take us for a ride, citizens preach Govt

Don’t take us for a ride, citizens preach Govt
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Ahead of the Friday’s Project Investment Board (PIB) meeting in New Delhi, which is expected to clear the Bangalore Metro Rail project, activists of political parties, merchants and auto rickshaw drivers in the city have intensified their agitation against the project.

Protestors, led by former MLA and BJP leader Pramila M Nesargi, on Thursday staged a demonstration in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the city. Janata Dal (S) members, representatives of CMH Road Merchants Association and members of Auto rickshaw Drivers’ Union participated in the protest.

The CMH Road Merchants demand a realignment of the East-West Corridor, while auto rickshaw drivers are against Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL) plans to restrict three-wheelers on the Metro corridors.

“Instead of CMH Road, the Metro Rail should run on Old Madras Road, as such a realignment would save Rs 400 crores and avoid hardship to a number of citizens,” Nesargi said.

She has also written to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the PIB chairman asking them not to clear the project in its present form.

“The Metro Rail is not a viable project and the Karnataka Government is asking the public to use only the Metro Rail for transport. It has come in for criticism from all sections of people,” the letter stated.

The BJP leader say they would allow the project only if suitable alterations are made for the convenience of the people.

“We will continue to protest against it, if it is not in the public interest,” she added.