Cantonment Metro: An apartment may be razed to the ground

BENGALURU: Though BMRCL's move to carry out survey of land acquisition as per the original Cantonment alignment has brought cheer to many, the residents of a couple of apartments in Benson Town may lose roof over their heads.

Reports stated that the residents of Maangalya Apartments and Nepal House may have to forego their homes for a mid tunnel shaft needed during construction. However, it is still not confirmed.

“Nepal House will not be affected by the mid-tunnel shaft needed for the underground line to Pottery Town. Maangalya Apartments may have to go, but we are not sure yet. The cost and land estimates are still being assessed and a preliminary notification will be issued,” said an official source. 

The civil works on the rest of the Reach 6 Gottigere-Nagawara line will be carried out simultaneously, he added. 

Anxiety is writ large among the residents of the 60 odd flats in Maangalya. However, some citizens groups who campaigned for the original alignment suspect that BMRCL is creating a scare to push for shifting the Cantonment station to Bamboo Bazaar.

BMRCL MD Pradeep Singh Kharola could not be reached for a comment.

Meanwhile, some citizen activists have suggested alternative spots for tunnel shaft, which could avoid demolition of the apartment. 

Why the shaft?
Transport expert from Praaja RAAG advocacy group, Sanjeev Dyamnavar said, “As per the American National Fire Protection Association standards that India follows, the mid-shaft tunnel must be built when a railway tunnel exceeds 1,500 metres in length. The tunnel length here is 1,618 metres. The rule mandates this shaft, for air supply during construction and passenger evacuation. Commuters must not be made to walk more than 750 metres during emergencies.”

Alternative spots
According to Dyamnavar the alternative shaft spots include land belonging to the 106 Infantary Battalion (TA) Para Defence land around 100 meters away from Maangalya Apartments, close to Nandi Durga Road. 

Rajkumar, one of the campaigners said," If BMRCL is seriously looking at the old approved alignment, with an open mind, they must consider this Military land to solve many problems. They may require a big chunk initially, but after construction, the actual requirement of land is minimal. It can restored and handed back to Defence Ministry and no residences will be disturbed.”

In his email Dyamnavar had suggested a slight change in the alignment to reduce the tunnel length, removing the need for a shaft itself.