The fight against relocation of the Cantonment metro station on the Red Line of Phase II of Namma Metro is set to intensify in the coming days.
Commuters argue that under the current plan, the distance between the railway and metro stations will be greater than 500 metres, making it tougher to cross over. “When you look up Google Maps, it is clear that the distance from the playground to the centre of the platform is around 800 metres,” said Rajkumar Dugar, a resident of Vasanthnagar.
Also protesting are residents who are fighting to save their BBMP-owned playground, under which BMRCL plans to build its station.
The move has drawn the attention of two Members of Parliament.
“I will definitely follow up with BMRCL and the departments concerned. It does not make sense to move the metro away from the railway station, which will surely become a hub for commuters once the sub-urban railway starts,” said P.C. Mohan, MP, Bengaluru Central.
Rajya Sabha member representing the State Rajeev Chandrasekhar also spoke against the proposed move. “BMRCL must explain this change in plan. If citizens prefer a metro halt at the Cantonment Railway Station, then BMRCL must heed their suggestion,” he said. He has written to Union Minister for Urban Development Narendra Singh Tomar stating that relocation must be cancelled in the interests of the long-term benefits for the city and its commuters. “The integration is critical because Indian Railways is planning a sub-urban commuter rail system that will provide an additional public transportation mode and capacity to the Bengaluru commuter,” the letter says.
Another playground near Shivajinagar to go
The taking over of another playground, the chota maidan near Shivajinagar bus stand, as well as private shops opposite and adjacent to the ground and a BBMP school is likely to be opposed by residents who feel that the loss of the playground, used by the BBMP as well as local communities for events and religious functions, will be irreversible even once it is handed back after construction of the underground Shivajinagar metro station.
“The school authorities have not been officially intimated about the acquisition. However, private shop owners have been given notices and the process of marking and inspection of land has begun. Most of the shopkeepers are afraid of losing customers whom they have been catering to for more than 50 years. There is also concern about the environmental impact of the construction, as the site is in the middle of a busy market place,” said Vinay Sreenivasa of the Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike.
George discusses land acquisition
City Development Minister K.J. George on Monday met officials of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to discuss properties to be acquired in his constituency for construction of the Arabic College station on the Red Line between Gottigere and Nagavara. A total of 251 properties have to be acquired for the 21.25-kilometre line with 13.79 kilometres of underground tunnels. Around 40 houses will have to be acquired for the Arabic College station.
The issue of 16 families, who did not want to claim compensation, was brought up during the meeting. Sources said that BMRCL would construct alternative houses for the families, who are from the economically weaker section of society, at a nearby site which would be provided by the Bangalore Development Authority.
BMRCL Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola said, “It was an informal meeting to discuss details of land acquisition.”
