It has been nearly two years since the metro line between Byappanahalli and M.G. Road was opened to the public. “It is high time that the damage caused to M.G. Road be repaired,” Bhoopalam P. Srinath, president of the Bangalore Trades Association, has demanded.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Srinath said that all the development activities, such as the reconstruction of the boulevard and the Rangoli Art Centre, are being undertaken only on the metro side of the road. “The pavements on the side that has all the shops are badly damaged,” he said, pointing out that no repairs had been undertaken because of the ongoing metro works. “When we approached the BMRCL, we were asked to approach the BBMP for the repairs.”
Mr. Srinath also said that water dripping from the roof of the metro station on M.G. Road has caused huge potholes. “Who will repair these? Some superficial repairs were undertaken after the press highlighted the issue. But the recent rains have once again washed away parts of the road,” he said.
The association is also unhappy with the fact that the BMRCL authorities are resisting proposals to convert the empty area below the Metro ramp into paid parking slots.
Their other demands include the re-laying of the entire footpath on M.G. Road, upgrading the entire M.G. Road into a concrete stretch as well as installation of waste baskets along M.G. Road. The traders welcomed the BBMP’s announcement that it will reintroduce paid parking on M.G. Road and Church Street.
