Metrorail to enhance City's beauty, not to come in the way of autos: BMRTL

Metrorail to enhance City's beauty, not to come in the way of autos: BMRTL
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Here is good news for autorickshaw drivers and people concerned with Bangalore's beauty. The much debated, Bangalore Metrorail will neither restrict three-wheelers' movement nor affect the Garden City's elegance.

In fact, Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL), the nodal agency for implementing the project, says the Metrorail will further enhance the City'sbeauty and will not come in the way of autorickshaws.

``We only stated that autorickshaws' entry will be restricted on certainroads. But we will not do it,'' BMRTL Managing Director K N Shrivastava told this website’s newspaper on Monday.

Autorickshaw drivers in the City were up in arms against the project, as the BMRTL has proposed to restrict three-wheelers' movement on Metro corridors to increase its rider ship. The government agency had even mentioned the same in its reply to clarifications sought by Project Investment Board (PIB).

The BMRTL chief, however, said that the autorickshaws will be relocated. ``Relocation is going to take place, as once the Metro starts its operations, autorickshaws' business will automatically come down,'' he reasoned.

On the apprehension that the project affects the City's beauty, the officer said they will ensure that project structures will merge with the aesthetics of the City. ``It will enhance its beauty.''

Some legislators had demanded for an underground system as the project, if implemented in its present form, would change the City's topography. But, the suggestion was not considered keeping in mind the financial viability of the project.

Meanwhile, armed with the PIB approval, the BMRTL is getting ready to start the work, once the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) clears it. However, the project is not free from a hitch. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), which has been entrusted with land acquisition process, is yet to start its work. ``We will sort it out soon, ''Shrivastava added.