Transparency International for monorail

Transparency International for monorail
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Even as the State Government is all set to begin work on metro rail, Transparency International India, a watchdog against corruption, has urged President APJ Abudul Kalam to direct the Centre and State Government to examine the benefits of mono rail system for Bangalore.

“Mono rail system is a world-class, state-of-the-art transport system which can be built within 10 months at zero cost for the State and Centre. However, some vested interests are hell bent on installing an inefficient and antiquated system (metro rail), which will guzzle up at least Rs. 10,000 crore,” chairman of the Transparency International, Karnataka Chapter, Justice (Rtd) M.F. Saldanha stated in a memorandum submitted to the President.

Justice Saldanha, a former Judge of the Karnataka High Court said, “You have very effectively and rightfully intervened in many important issues of public interest and the Bangalore Metro Project is a fit case to be examined. As a former Bangalorean, you should be pleased to ensure that the city is not devastated and is provided with the best,” he pleaded.

He claimed that the metro project will result in destruction of remaining trees in Bangalore. The project will result in over ten lakh citizens losing their houses and palaces of business and approximately Rs 10,000 crore will be invested in the system that will again not cater to more than five percent of the city’s transport requirements, he claimed.

Justice Saldanha observed that Bangalore was being foisted with a metro project looking at the fact that concept is outdated as it is over a century old. What is totally overlooked is the fact that Delhi and Kolkota went through more than ten years of upheaval during the construction period.

An international consortium has offered to build monorail system and operate it for a prescribed period of time. During this period, the consortium will recover the cost of construction and the entire system will be later handed over to the State free of cost. This will mean a saving of at least Rs 10,000 crore, he said.

It is extremely doubtful as to where the massive amount of power will be made available from for the metro, while monorail utilises solar power and gas as a supplementary fuel.