It’s official: Metro is on

It’s official: Metro is on
No Change In Alignment Package For The Affected
The Times of India

Bangalore: The Rs 6,395-crore Bangalore Metro Rail project will not be scrapped. The government has accepted the Justice Shivshankar Bhat Committee report, which recommended that the project will go along the CMH Road alignment, CM H D Kumaraswamy said on Friday.

The project will be taken up on priority, he told reporters after a review meeting. While there’ll be no change in the alignment of CMH Road or Mahakavi Kuvempu Road in Malleswaram, there will be just one change on CMH Road. Instead of two stations on 100 ft Road, Indiaranagar, and CMH Road (opposite Bata), there will be one common station near Arya Samaj.

Setting at rest speculation on Mono Rail, Kumaraswamy said it’ll only complement the Metro Rail project as a feeder service.
Allaying people’s fears, he announced a rehabilitation package for families and business establishments on CMH Road and Mahakavi Kuvempu Road who would be affected by the acquisition of 28 acres of private land.

The package for CMH Road residents and all other property losses will cost the exchequer about Rs 30 crore.

As recommended by the Shivshankar Bhat Committee, the rehabilitation package will include allotment of sites by BDA, provision of house rent for six months to affected households, and 10-month rent to affected business establishments.

The government will also help in finding alternative accommodation including giving shop space at BDA complexes within the city, and suitable compensation as per market rates and on a par with PWD rates without depreciation. Since it was felt that market rates are much higher, the government will now appoint a valuation committee to assess the actual value and compensation will be fixed based on the committee’s recommendations.

The CM said he has ordered that the area adjoining the Metro Rail alignment be converted into commercial land use pattern, benefiting those having properties along the alignment. Also, for those whose properties will be displaced, all benefits available in the transfer of development rights in the BMP, will be extended.

Metro matters
l Transport integration at all Metro stations and terminals, including Majestic
l KSRTC, BMTC and Metro to be integrated for smooth passenger transfer
l Metro authorities will acquire land for station at Plaza Theatre, MG Road
l Will redesign station at South End Circle
l Will acquire vacant land available at Trinity Circle for the station
l Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Board will decide on options on joint property development in these areas
l Slums at Basaveshwara Nagar will be shifted to Leprosy Centre on Magadi Road and Jai Bhim Nagar slum to another area for which land will be found. BMRC will bear the cost