‘Metro fine, but not at cost of identity’

‘Metro fine, but not at cost of identity’
DH News Service Bangalore:
Some of the readers of the Deccan Herald pointed out that a Metro Rail track would ruin the beauty of M G Road, others felt that Cubbon Road or the adjacent Parade Ground could be the right alternatives.

On day three of the Deccan Herald campaign that invited public views on Bangalore Metro replacing the M G Road promenade, reactions continued to be by and large sceptical.

Some of the readers pointed out that a Metro Rail track would ruin the beauty of M G Road, others felt that Cubbon Road or the adjacent Parade Ground could be the right alternatives.

There was also the contention that development was inevitable, and the focus should be on striking the right balance between progress and the City’s identity.



Update plan: Expert

“The Metro plan, devised around 10 years back, is outdated. Bangalore’s demographics have changed considerably, but that has not been factored into the design, not to mention the absence of a proper traffic impact assessment study.”

“The questions to be asked is: Have routes with markedly greater passenger movement been identified? Will people working in MG Road offices take the Metro to commute?

“Another issue of concern is the rush to erect overground stretches. When trends the world over show that underground mass transit is favoured, we are going ahead with a design that will obliterate the City’s heritage.

“Even in Delhi, areas with larger public movement -- including Old Delhi and Connaught Place -- have Metro running underground. In Bangalore, the Metro could run underground in thickly populated areas, and run elevated outside of the City.”

“There are challenges involved in an underground design, including the cost implication. However, in the present context, there’s no dearth of money for infrastructure projects. The immediate need is a relook at the Detailed Project Report and design, rejection of elevated stretches in high-density areas and a proper identification of the passenger profile and volume.”

— Shyam Chengalath, MD, Robbins Tunnelling and Trenchless Technology.



‘Spare this road’

From being the famed Garden City, Bangalore has now morphed into Concrete Jungle, Silicon City and Garbage City. We’ve already axed several trees and contributed to global warming.

Felling some more for the Metro will be the last nail. M G Road is a beautiful road frequented by dignitaries, both national and international. It would be wise to spare this road and the walkpath and think of alternatives.

— Margaret Rajan



‘Pointless criticism’

There’s no dearth of critics. People should allow development and allow the appointed people to do their work, with their experience and qualification.

The worth of the Metro will be felt only after the project is complete. Similar criticism was voiced even against flyovers in the City. Please look ahead and see the benefits.

— Prabhakar Caleb



‘Eye-sore in the making’

By deciding to do away with the promenade, people in charge of this City have betrayed us. The ‘artist's impression’ only serves to re-establish the fact that Metro will become a real eye-sore on this beautiful road, which is the showpiece of Bangalore. The Metro should go underground (as in all major world cities) or be re-routed along Cubbon Road.

— S Srikant



‘Not at the cost of green’

Bangalore, no doubt, needs the Metro. But not at the cost of its green cover. If the alignment is shifted to the military ground adjacent to the promenade, we can save the greenery on M G Road. One wonders how environmental clearance was given to this alignment.

— Vasanth R



‘Relocate promenade’

The world over, trees are transplanted to make way for new projects. In Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East, mature trees are transplanted along boulevards to beautify cities.

Why should Bangalore not adopt this proven method to relocate the MG Road promenade some distance away, and save the City?

— P J Mohanram



‘Shift to Parade Ground’

Do we really need a rail line passing through MG Road? If so, why not use the adjacent Parade Ground?

If the Army is not willing to part with it, the Metro can take a different route. Destroying beautiful trees in a City gasping for fresh air, is a horrendous price to pay for a few feet of rail.

— R Craig Jones



Have your say

The upcoming seven-km Bangalore Metro stretch will change the face of M G Road.

While the project has run into opposition over destruction of the elevated walkpath on MG Road, concerns have also been raised on the very logic behind the elevated stretch and alleged lack of transparency in decision-making.

Deccan Herald offers a platform for readers to suggest alternatives. Write in your views to The Editor, Deccan Herald, 75, M G Road, Bangalore — 560 001 or email: editor@deccanherald.co.in