Metro proposes, then disposes

Metro proposes, then disposes
Bengaluru,


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Designs for all the six stations of Reach One — the Plaza station on MG Road, opposite Nalli Silks, at Trinity circle, on CMH Road, Old Madras Road and at Byappanahali have been changed. They will have absolutely no frills BMRC sources

: If you had visualised swanky Metro stations in your midst, you could be on a trip to disappointment.
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) has changed the design of the stations, seemingly unconcerned about the delay this could cause in their completion and the inconvenience the travelling public could face as a result .

First, the stations were to be architectural marvels with glass-steel facades, fountains, lawns, kiosks, and escalators.

But cost-cutting and protests galore later the stations are being redesigned to suit a new budget and the environment.

Giving in to the demands of the locals there will be no parking lots at Lalbagh and three other stations on RV Road.

“Designs for all the six stations of Reach One — the Plaza station on MG Road, opposite Nalli Silks, at Trinity circle, on CMH Road, Old Madras Road and at Byappanahali have been changed.

They will have absolutely no frills,” say sources.

While the stations, when designed by RITES and leading city architects would have cost Rs 10 to Rs 12 crore each to build, the ones that are now on the drawing board will cost only Rs 1 crore each to build and save the goverment as much as Rs 50 crore, according to the sources.

BMRC engineer Y.Chavan explains that parking lots will be provided only at major terminals, and other Metro stations will have only bus, autorickshaw and car bays.

“This has been done to discourage the public from using their own vehicles and opt for the mass transportation system,” he says.