Metro MD has few answers

Metro MD has few answers

Citizens bombard Sivasailam with questions. Metro merely implementing project planned by govt, he says

Senthalir S. Bangalore



Attempts of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to convince residents of Jayanagar to discontinue their protest didn't yield any results on Saturday. Parallel protests went on even as the Metro MD called on the Federation of Jayanagar Residents' Welfare Association to talk about re-alignment and allay fears regarding tree-felling.
Residents from Malleswaram and other parts of the city also joined people of Jayanagar in the protest. They demanded legislature for a competent review of the project and follow correct political process in arriving at a decision.
As Sivasailam explained the impact of Metro on Lakshman Rao park, residents and activists raised questions. His answers, however, were not convincing enough for them.
Why had the government not explored constructing the southern reach of the Metro through an alternative alignment that runs through the Jayanagar shopping centre, completely avoiding precious heritage park zones, they asked. This alternative has been considered viable in the detailed project report, as it also allows for expansion in future to Electronics City as well as Banashankari, and without destroying portions of Lalbagh, Lakshman Rao park, they said.
Sivasailam refused to get into a debate claiming that his agency was only implementing the project. Metro was carrying out the work legally after approval by the Cabinet, he said. But this met with howls of protest. People demanded accountability. Why had the government subversively chosen to issue an Ordinance to take portions of Lalbagh, K R Road park and Lakshman Rao park, when the issue should have first been debated threadbare in the Assembly and in public, they wanted to know. Sivasailam refused to comment on this as well.
Determined to take people into confidence, Sivasailam walked along the Nanda Road with the residents to explain the Metro work. "We have identified 323 trees, but will cut only 188 for station work. Trees along the road, excluding those that have to make way for the station, will not be cut. We want your assistance in planting saplings in Jayanagar," he said.
In the 42km Metro length, 3,000 trees have been identified to be cut. Of this, 1,200 trees will go for the 9km underground Metro. For every kilometre, 120 trees will be cut in the underground section. Only 8.25m of the portion of the park from the footpath will be taken for station work. Trees coming within that area will go. When asked about possibilities of relocating the trees, Sivasailam ruled it out saying that out of the nine trees relocated, seven were already dead. "This is very expensive and not worth it," he said.
Many suggested that the number of stations be reduced. Former deputy mayor Rame Gowda, who had got a stay order on tree felling in Reach 4, said he would not take the petition back until people are convinced that it will not impact the environment.