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People eagerly await the launch of Metro
Old-timers rue commercialisation, traders lament loss of business
DH News Service, Nov 15,
Old-time residents and shopkeepers of CMH Road recall a time when a row of elegant houses built by the Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) for employees of the now defunct New Government Electric Factory (NGEF) once dotted the entire stretch. This gradually gave way to commercial complexes and shops that replaced them one by one.
While traffic density, location of work centres and population was the primary consideration to align the Metro through CMH Road, it is interesting to recall that the East-West corridor of the Elevated Light Rail Transit System (ELRTS) proposed in 1995 had avoided this stretch of Indiranagar and instead taken Old Madras Road to reach its depot, opposite to the BMTC bus depot/station.
This very issue was the bone of contention between the BMRCL and the CMH Road Shops and Establishments Association who protested vociferously against the decision to align the Namma Metro on this road, citing a huge loss of their business. The matter is still pending before the courts, awaiting decision.
Their worst fears came true, when the BMRCL proceeded with the construction work. This resulted in massive destruction, relocation to many traders and huge financial disruption/losses.
The CMH Road now wears a deserted look, with 80 per cent of the business establishments shutting shop and moving elsewhere.
The remaining business establishments while cursing the BMRCL for their daily woes, now await the day, Namma Metro begins to operate and are counting each day as it passes, hoping that the construction is over and they can look forward to good times again. The owners and tenants of residential and commercial property on this stretch were entitled and awarded a rehabilitation package that included compensation, shifting allowance, business loss allowance and inconvenience allowance.
However, it did not completely heal the trauma and financial loss encountered by those who were forced to close down their established businesses and relocate.
While traffic density, location of work centres and population was the primary consideration to align the Metro through CMH Road, it is interesting to recall that the East-West corridor of the Elevated Light Rail Transit System (ELRTS) proposed in 1995 had avoided this stretch of Indiranagar and instead taken Old Madras Road to reach its depot, opposite to the BMTC bus depot/station.
