Against all global trends’

Against all global trends’
Deccan herald

"Globally, MRTS go underground in city centres. There’s a need to evolve a consensus on whether the Metro could run underground or not..."


“There has to be an alternative to the devastation that’s in store for the road. An underground stretch, even at additional cost, could be explored. The possibility of using Cubbon Road as an alternative could also be tried out.”

— Jayakar Jerome, former BDA Commissioner



“Transparency should be brought into the system. The public should have access to the design of the tracks and the proposed stations and be allowed to offer their views. It’s not just about the promenade... the trees on one side of the MG Road will be felled. Globally, MRTS go underground in city centres. There’s a need to evolve a consensus on whether the Metro could run underground or not.”

— V Ravichandar, CEO, Feedback Business Consulting Services



“The public take on such decisions is critical. It is after all they who’ll be using the Metro. While we were working on the Elevated Light Rail Transit System, three public presentations were made on the proposed design and route. Some people were completely opposed to the design and we incorporated their views into the design. In fact, it was decided to avoid major stretches on M G Road.”

— B S C Rao, former Executive Director, BMRTL

“The decision to go ahead with the conservative Metro plan is nothing short of lunacy. The aesthetics of the road will take a beating and the plan also involves loss of a lot of greenery. It’s not about recreating the beauty, it’s about the levels of devastation involved. In concept, Monorail offers a better alternative with less destruction.”

— Justice M F Saldanha, former High Court judge



“There’s no real alternative. An underground stretch will cost a lot more of public money. Even in Delhi, barring a few areas, the Metro runs on elevated tracks. There’s immense scope for the City to embrace the MRTS model. As for losing the promenade to the project, the old beauty will be retained in the proposed park.”

— Jaiprasad, Technical Advisor (Engineering), BBMP

“A shift to underground design will mean an additional Rs 40 to 60 crore per km. On the aesthetic component of the project, international trends show that underground designs are favoured. One prominent example has been Norway where, it is learnt, all future transport facilities will be built underground.”

— A T Samuel, Executive Director, STUP Consultants Pvt Ltd