Metro: CMH Road goes 'silent'

Metro: CMH Road goes 'silent'
DH News Service, Bangalore:
The busy CMH Road in Indiranagar wore a deserted look on Tuesday, as traders downed shutters for a day-long 'bundh' against the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).


Protesting against the decision of the BMRCL announcing road widening work from this week, the CMH Road Shops and Establishments Association took out a rally from B M Sri Circle to Adarsha Theatre.

Road blocked

The police had to block the road for entry of vehicles from Ulsoor to 100 ft Road, as over a hundred traders shouted anti-metro slogans and demanded that the ‘Namma Metro’ be realigned on the Old Madras Road.

Leading the protest march, Senior Counsel Pramila Nesargi representing the traders said, the BMRCL should wait for the decision of the High Court before commencing work on CMH Road.

Matter pending

“The matter is pending before the court. We have been, time and again petitioning the BMRCL, to reconsider alignment of the Metro on CMH Road. BMRCL Chief V Madhu fears the court will decide against the Metro. So, the BMRCL has hastened its decision to begin the work,” she said.

Ms Nesargi alleged that the BMRCL has not obtained clearance from the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Environment and Forests before beginning work.

She threatened that the traders would commit suicide or immolate themselves if the BMRCL begins construction work on the CMH Road. “This is the last time that we will issue a stern warning to the BMRCL. We will not allow them to enter CMH Road. We will meet the governor shortly to press for our demands,” Ms Nesargi said.

Traffic on the CMH Road was diverted to alternate roads, as the traders carrying placards and banners marched on the CMH Road.

A platoon of policemen were deployed to prevent any untoward incident. The shops were opened later, in the evening.

What traders say:

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Mr Imtiaz Ahmed, president of the CMH Road Shops and Establishments Association, who owns a shoe store on the road, demanded that the BMRCL wait for the court verdict. “When the very aspect of land acquisition has been challenged and the residents are not willing to hand over their properties, where is the question of construction?,” Mr Ahmed lamented.

Another businessman, Mr Ram Mohan who has a medical store on the CMH Road for the last 20 years, pointed out that the Government should change its decision to align the project on the road.

“We have been protesting for over two years. Yet, the BMRCL is adamant on beginning work on the road,” Mr Ram Mohan added.

Mr Sunil Kumar Agarwal, proprietor of a ‘Karthick Sweets’ on CMH Road said, the traders are not willing to hand over their properties for the metro project.

“How can the BMRCL announce that it would begin the work,” he asks.