With no conclusive decision taken at the meeting between Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and the BMRCL, residents affected by the realignment near Jayadeva Hospital are now looking to mobilise more people affected by the elevated Metro line.
Reddy told Express after the meeting that while both issues — realignment with regard to Hoodi, which was requested by former health minister Arvind Limbavalli, and the Jaydeva realignment were discussed, but no decisions were taken.
“I only understood the issues pertaining to the project. Jayadeva Hospital’s demands are valid considering that it is such a renowned hospital. The BMRCL has explained that with the original alignment, 64 properties may have gone and with the realignment, 74 properties will be acquired. The people have voiced their concern and I will look into it,” he said.
Jayadeva Interchange Metro Victims Forum coordinator K Ramesh said the residents were still hopeful that the minister will consider their plea. “There is a solution in going underground and I hope the Minister as well as the BMRCL considers it,” he said.
In the meantime, residents affected by the Jayadeva Hospital are now reaching out to other residents who are likely to be affected by Phase II of the Namma Metro Project and are demanding the Metro go underground.
“We will be meeting with residents from Jayanagar 5th Block, ITPL and Kanakapura Road who are concerned about the project going overground. It is feasible to take the Metro underground and there are consultants who have presented us with documents which show that this can be done at a cost of about `250 crore per km,” Ramesh said.
This will be presented to the minister, the Public Investment Board and the Planning Commission in Delhi ahead of the June 25 meeting, he added.