Metro or Mono, the debate continues

Metro or Mono, the debate continues
Deccan Herald


Why is Bangalore going in for a system that is almost being phased out in the rest of the world?

The proponents of monorail as an alternative to Metro Rail raised this query again, on Friday, on the eve of the scheduled ceremony for laying foundation for Bangalore Metro Rail project.

Addressing a press conference here, these proponents led by retired Justice M F Saldanha and advocate Pramila Nesargi, put forth arguments, made some claims and allegations.

A sampling:

*Metro Rail is not cost-effective. It is time consuming too.

* Bangalore’s geology does not permit underground rail systems.

* If Kolkata and Delhi metrorails are the model, then take note that there Kolkatans are protesting and Delhi’s Chief Minister Sheila Dixit is on record that Metro Rail per se won’t be expanded and its next continuous phase shall be a monorail.

* Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation is not transparent. It has not got the environmental impact assessment for the project.

* About 12 to 14 lakh Bangaloreans will lose their houses or businesses in the land acquisition for Metro Rail.