Metro: CM’s visit fails to convince traders

Metro: CM’s visit fails to convince traders
Deccan Herald

Hundreds gathered on CMH Road, Indiranagar on Wednesday to voice their grievances to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who visited the spot to inspect the proposed alignment work by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC).

Hundreds gathered on CMH Road, Indiranagar on Wednesday to voice their grievances to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who visited the spot to inspect the proposed alignment work by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC).

This is the second time that the CM is hearing the problems of the traders and residents of the area, who are opposed to the Metro alignment through CMH Road, which will adversely affect the business of hundreds of traders on the road. They want the alignment to be shifted to Old Madras Road. The CM was ‘driven around the area’, denying an opportunity to show him spots of their choice, complained the traders.

“We looked like jokers following the convoy of the CM guided by Mr Madhu, who took him to the spots of his choice,” said Imtiaz Ahmed, President of Indiranagar Traders’ Association, and added that the exercise served no purpose.


The CM inspected the area between 7.30 and 8.15 am, and left after promising the traders that he would look into their grievance.

Later, addressing the media, the CM said that he would hold a meeting on October 27, where a final decision will be taken. He also said that realignment would mean a whole year’s delay in the project, and also cost escalation. “I have heard both viewpoints; that of the traders and the project stakeholders. The coming meet will be the deciding factor,” he added.