Shutters down on CMH Road

Shutters down on CMH Road
Deccan Herald

It was complete shutters down on CMH Road on Thursday, as over 150 owners of residential and commercial properties observed a bundh to protest against the Bangalore Metro alignment proposed along the stretch.

It was complete shutters down on CMH Road on Thursday, as over 150 owners of residential and commercial properties observed a bundh to protest against the Bangalore Metro alignment proposed along the stretch.

Red flags, anti-metro placards and angry sloganeering marked the 24-hour bundh. The protesters also burnt the effigy of V Madhu, Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation, near HDFC Bank junction on CMH Road, triggering traffic jams in the afternoon.

“We want them to shift it to the Old Madras Road where the impact will be much less,” said Diana, a resident. Nagaveni, who runs an advertising agency, is worried about the compensation she would receive as she does not pay Value Added Tax, on which the rehabilitation package is based. “BMRC is not coming out clearly about the rehabilitation package. I don’t think I will get a fair deal,” she said. Meanwhile, for Anand, who owns a Royal Enfield showroom, it is anxiety of another kind.

“My grandmother gave up over 30 sq feet of land for road widening 32 years ago. We are still waiting for the promised compensation money to reach us. She died when the process was underway, and now we are left with nothing for the sacrifice we made for Bangalore’s development. I fear that the story will repeat itself this time too,” said Anand, who will give up about 20 sq feet of his property.

Pramila Nesargi, counsel for CMH Road Shops and Establishments Association, said they have approached Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to change the alignment that will affect “900 commercial and residential buildings, and displace over 6,000 workers.” “Till the alignment is changed, our struggle will continue,” she said.