Metro: Residents hoot, CM bends

Metro: Residents hoot, CM bends
Kumaraswamy likely to suggest route changes to BMR
VIJAY TIMES NEWS

Bangalore: With pressure from residents mounting on the State government to make changes in Bangalore Metro Rail alignment, Chief Minister H D K umaraswamy is likely to suggest to the Bangalore Metro Railway Corporation (BMRC) to explore possibilities of minor changes in the track route.

Sources in the Chief Minister’s Office told Vijay Times the present route passes through private land at several places instead of adjacent government properties. The Chief Minister wants to bring minor changes in the route, if possible.

A senior official in the CMO, however , said it does not mean the Chief Minister wants major changes. The government does not mind if the route is extended by half or one kilometre instead of acquiring private properties, he said.

He said the Chief Minister is keen on the project and he will not order a resurvey . Chief Minister will hold discussions with new managing director , Madhu, immediately after the latter assumes charge and suggest changes made by the public.

However , this could trigger a controversy . It is feared that other affected parties too might demand a realignment.

Meanwhile, following the Chief Minister’s order to halt the acquisition of 150 properties on Mahakavi K uvempu Road in Malleswaram, the survey works could also be cancelled.

Sources in the Urban Development Department said as the Chief Minister wants to inspect these areas, survey work had been stopped.

The CM had on Thursday asked BMRC to withold survey work after a memorandum was submitted by a delegation led by former MLA Pramila Nesargi.

The government has already asked BMRC to withhold the survey of 55 properties on CMH Road in Indiranagar and asked an expert committee to give its suggestions after the residents urged the government to change the alignment from CMH Road to Old Madras Road.

BMRC sources said except for these two stretches, the survey works, including land measurement, acquisition of other areas of the total 33-km Metro Rail route from Jalahalli to R V Road, Jayanagar , and Byappanahalli to Mysore Road are on.