Traders protest Metrorail alignment

Traders protest Metrorail alignment
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metrorail is all set to cross all bureaucratic hurdles and work is expected to start soon. But many residents’ associations in the City demand that it be realigned.

CMH Road Traders Association was the first to protest and now traders on Mahakavi Kuvempu Road, Mariyappana Palya, have also joined the protest. Former BJP MLA Premila Nesargi is leading the protest.

BJP MLA Gopal Poojary participated in one such protest rally. However, with BJP coming to power in the State, it is not yet clear how much these BJP leaders will be able to influence the Government to change the project design.

The traders are against demolition of their shops and business establishments. CMH Road shops owners demand that Metrorail be realigned to pass through Old Madras Road, but the shop owners of Kuvempu Road have not proposed an alternative alignment.

The shop owners on Old Madras Road charged that besides shops, a church, a mutt, and graveyards belonging to Hindus, Christians and Muslims would be affected. Nesargi is worried about graveyards on Kuvempu Road, but overlooks those on Old Madras Road.

The shop-keepers on MG Road expressed their fear more gently than their CMH Road counterparts. But they have made it clear that Metro was not welcome at the cost of their shops.

Though the BMRCL has said that it would acquire defence land in Manekshaw Parade Ground and Rajendra Singhji Institute, MG Road shop owners want to be totally spared.

BMRCL also offered to give space for shops on the Metro station on MG Road and near the staircases. But they argued that the tenants had redesigned the interiors of the stores and the owners would get the compensation and not the tenants.

Meanwhile, a committee constituted by the State government is looking into the demand to change the alignment from the CMH Road. Based on the committee report, the Government is expected to take suitable action.

Much-needed Metrorail is expected to decongest the City roads and also bring down the vehicular pollution that has reached alarming levels. That apart, the new system will also reduce number of accidents on the city roads.