The decision of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to change the location of Cantonment station is unlikely to ensure smooth progress of work on the Red Line of Phase II. The decision was prompted by the difficulty in land acquisition.
BMRCL claims that acquiring a playground from the BBMP to build the station would be easier than getting land from South Western Railway (SWR).
But, the decision seems to have caught the BBMP by surprise.
Sampath Kumar, councillor of Vasanthnagar ward, said, “I have raised this issue in the council. There has been no intimation from BMRCL about trying to acquire the playground. Also, as per regulations, playgrounds cannot be handed over by the BBMP for any other purpose.”
At the same time, railway officials recently issued a statement saying land is available for BMRCL’s project in response to claims that SWR is unwilling to part with its land for the metro station.
Why citizens are upset
Citizens are upset with BMRCL’s decision to shift the metro station because they were hoping that it would be integrated with Cantonment Railway Station.
Also, BMRCL officials maintain that the distance between the two stations would be limited to 250 metres. However, a simple check on Google Maps shows that this is not the case; the distance between the playground and the edge of the platform is more than 250 metres.
