Tracking METRO

Tracking METRO
From London to Paris to Kolkata, TOI checks out how the Metro works in other cities and how it could work wonders here ‘MG Road will not lose its glory’

R Jayaprakash in conversation with V Madhu, BMRCL managing director M G Road will never look the same again. What will it look like? The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will put an elevated viaduct on M G Road. Between Anil Kumble Circle and Kamaraja Road junction, this will be positioned on the slope of the elevated bund (slope of the boulevard). The train will run at a height of over 30 ft from the road. The viaduct will be 10.3 metres wide. For drilling piles to position the viaduct piers, we have to remove the bund (which is between 1.5-2 metres in height). After it’s ready, we’ll restore the bund and landscape it. It’ll have flower-beds and the piers will be covered with seasonally flowering creepers.
Can’t there be any alternative to removing the bund?
There is no way the pile rigs can work on M G Road without removing the bund. It’ll be positioned after work is completed and it’ll be at the same height as the one today.
What is the green cover loss? Specifically, large trees in the Maneckshaw Parade Grounds?
It is estimated that 16 trees on the bund will have to be removed. We’ll compensate the loss of cover and therefore we have planted saplings in Bangalore city in the ratio of 1:10 ie. 10 saplings for every tree that will be removed.
How will you recreate the bund?
We already have a detailed plan. However, we plan to consult architecture students and landscaping experts. We are open to ideas from people who are dearly attached to it and keen on its restoration. The pictures released by us show that the crown of MG Road will be restored in all its glory. We are starting the work next week and in 12 months we will complete all the civic work on MG Road and also restore the bund.
How will you convince the green brigade?
In a growing city, we have to make certain compromises. Positioning of the elevated viaduct will definitely disturb the lung space of MG Road to some extent. Similar things have happened in most big cities worldwide. An example is Bangkok, similar in size to Bangalore but developed substantially during ‘90s. There are elevated roads and the metro rail, one over the other in some places, covering the main arterial roads of Bangkok. The landscape of the bund will be recreated and this mass rapid transport system is something without which the city cannot live and grow. I hope the green brigade is convinced by these measures.