Metro to steer the original track

Metro to steer the original track
Deccan Herald

Five months after the Justice Shivshankar Bhat committee gave its recommendations on the realignment issue, the government announced its decision to stick to the original route plan as proposed by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation, and freeze the Metro alignment, on Friday.

Though the government decision will expedite the Bangalore Metro project, it has also triggered a public outcry, with those demanding a realignment claiming that the government stand has left them “shattered”.

Affected residents and traders of CMH Road, 100 Feet Road and Mahakavi Kuvempu Road have been protesting against the Metro route alignment.

Common station

The government also announced that instead of two Metro stations on the 100 Feet Road-CMH Road stretch, there will only be one common station. These two roads will also be widened by reducing the footpath width, in order to deal with potential traffic problems. Rehabilitation allowance, or “hardship allowance” for affected inhabitants of CMH Road and all other property losers, has also been planned at a cost of Rs 30 crore.

Addressing the press after a review meeting with stakeholders of the Metro project, Chief Minister Mr Kumaraswamy said, “We have taken into account the problems of those who will be adversely affected by the project. We will ensure that their inconvenience and losses are minimised through compensation at market values and our rehabilitation packages.”

Regarding the issue of compensation of land and property, the value of buildings will be in accordance with the rates set by the Public Works Department, without depreciation. The land value will be determined by the Valuation Committee, through the “consent award” route, he said.

M G Road station

Among other decisions taken on the Metro project, it was decided to limit the area acquired for the station on M G Road to 1,533 sq metres, through acquisition of the Plaza theatre building. Stations will be redesigned using lesser land for South End Circle, and only vacant land will be acquired for the Trinity Circle station, it was decided.

Mr Kumaraswamy added that though the review meeting was limited to discussing issues related to the 33-km Metro network, the government will consider extending the network to allow for Ring Road connectivity under Phase 1 of the project in the near future.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation is proposing to extend the network from Yeshwantpur to Peenya in North Bangalore, and from RV Road to Banashankari bus stand.

DECISION ONLINE

*BMRCL to decide on various options on joint

property development

* Metro stations to be developed as business hubs

* Land on either side of Metro corridor for commercial use

* Traffic integration with KSRTC & BMTC in all station areas

* Mono rail to be developed as feeder system

* Basaveswara and Jai Bhim slums to be relocated at BMRC cost

* TDR to be given, with the same clauses applicable for BMP scheme, in addition to compensation

* BDA to give priority to the displaced in allotment of sites

* BDA to allot commercial shops to the affected in a few cases