BENGALURU: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola chose to remain non-committal over the Cantonment Railway station alignment issue.
In a question-answer session following a talk on Metro Phase-I and Phase-II delivered at the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Saturday evening, a couple of members in the audience asked BMRCL to reconsider the new alignment.
In the Detailed Project Report for the Nagawara-Gottigere Line made public on July 14, BMRCL had changed the alignment of the Cantonment Metro station from the originally planned location to a playground near Bamboo Bazaar. The move has been strongly opposed by civic activist groups who felt the distance to between the Metro and Railway stations would make it inconvenient for commuters.
Later when asked by reporters why he chose to remain silent on this issue, Kharola said, “I have already spelt out the BMRCL stand on the issue.”
Kharola did not comment when asked by a reporter if there was a possibility of changing the alignment to the earlier one, which was planned in the parking area opposite the railway station.
The MD was also questioned on the issue of lack of proper integration between Metro and other modes of transport. “There is integration at all locations,” he said.
“Integration with the City Railway Station (Kempegowda Metro) was half done and is getting completed. At Yesvantpur, there is a foot over-bridge to connect the stations. In Baiyappanahalli, the integration is fairly good,” Kharola said.
In the case of Phase-II, integration was being planned at K R Puram, Whitefield and all stations. “All stations will have service lanes in order to avoid congestion on main roads. Integration with all modes of transport, including bicycles, are being planned,” said Kharola.
Traders’ association building toilet at Chickpet station
The Karnataka Hosiery and Garments Association is building a pay-and-use toilet and drinking water facility within the premises of the Chickpet Metro station along the B V K Iyengar side.
P H Raj Purohit, a representative of the association, said BMRCL had given them the permission to do so. “They are planning to build a small park within the premises here. Instead of the park, we need space to park at least 500 two-wheelers,” he added.
BMRCL spokesperson U A Vasanth Rao said: “The toilet inside the station is located underground and can be reserved for office staff only.” Ro added, “There is no plan to have any park here. Where is the space?”