BMRCL flayed over Cantonment metro
The Railways reiterated the same with another circular on June 1, 2016. BMRCL officials did not respond to repeated calls from DC.
Bengaluru: It has come to light that BMRCL altered the cantonment metro alignment, without consulting or informing the elected representatives. The change has also invited the anger of citizens, as it could lead to poor inter modal connectivity with the railway station.
"I was not informed of any change in alignment for Cantonment Metro station. There was no consultation or meeting either," Lok Sabha member P.C. Mohan told Deccan Chronicle.
Transport expert Sanjeev Dyamannavar, who earlier wrote to BMRCL requesting them to make public the Phase 2 alignment, once again sent an email on July 17 and 22 to Metro, MPs from Karnataka, MLAs, DULT and Chief Minister regarding the change in alignment.
“For the next 100 years people will suffer due to Metro's wrong decision. The station is more than a kilometre away from Cantonment Railway Station platforms and a huge disadvantage for mass integration with Railway and BMTC," Dyamannavar wrote. They should go back to the alignment in the DPR, he added. He also pointed out that the sudden change was done without any discussion with stake holders such as BBMP, Traffic Police, South Western Railways, MPs, MLAs and Ministers.
According to media reports the BMRCL has cited land acquisition woes as the reason for moving the metro station and they plan to acquire a BBMP playground. However, a circular from the Centre and Railways contradicts this statement.
"After a Cabinet meeting on December 10, 2014, all Ministries and Departments must accord operating land rights to Metro immediately, so the work of the project and public do not suffer," an excerpt of the Urban Development circular dated January 27, 2015 stated.
The Railways reiterated the same with another circular on June 1, 2016. BMRCL officials did not respond to repeated calls from Deccan Chronicle. “BMRCL has chosen to acquire the playground 700 metres away as they will get it for free. They are doing it at the cost of commuter's convenience. The children will lose Madina playground as well," Dyamannavar lamented.