Protests mar BMRTL interactive meet

Protests mar BMRTL interactive meet

Vijay Times

Bangalore: Vociferous protests by traders of the CMH Road Shops and Establishments Association marred an interactive session organised by the Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL), on Monday.

Vehemently opposing the Metro Rail passing through CMH Road, about 300 traders and residents alike gathered at the session, pleaded with K N Shrivastava, managing director, BMRTL, to reconsider its decision to allow it on an elevated track on the busy CMH Road.

Although the BMRTL chief tried to re-assure the contankerous group as to the Metro not causing any loss of livelihood, the gathering was obdurate and refused to acknowledge his assurances.

Imtiaz Ahmed, president of the association, told the gathering that all traders were attending under protest and demanded the realignment of the Metro to Old Madras Road, where there would be no acquistion of property.

Although the fraternity welcomed the Metro, the route has been ill-planned they claimed. Once work commences, businesses will be forced to shut down depriving them of their livelihood".

Later, answering queries, Shrivastava explained, "A total of 752 properties would be acquired by KIADB across the Metro alignment. To further assure you, we are prepared to reduce the number of properties to be acquired on CMH Road from 55 to 22. All construction work will be carried out between 11 pm and 5 am".

This assurance went in vain as the agitated crowd was not convinced.

The BMRTL chief also said an expert committee comprising eminent personalities and bureaucrats would be set up by KIADB to study land acquisition issues and environmental aspects.”