Year-long Metro trouble stares Jayanagar

The stations on that stretch are nowhere near completion and the chaos on the roads is only getting worse.

Meera M Prabhakar, a resident of Jayanagar for the past 20 years, laments: “Children are finding it  difficult to move around. The area we live in was once very quiet and secluded. No longer. I have to think twice before sending my sons out to play.”

Being a doctor, she asserts that the Metro is affecting people’s health. “I get many patients complaining about nasal congestion, eye infection, etc. In fact, my own children have been victims of these problems.”

Another resident Sudha, who once loved walking on the “wide and green” roads, now feels that these roads have become narrow and congested, thanks to the Metro pillars.

She does not go on walks any longer.

Blockages in the drains have only added to the chaos on the streets. “Dirty water flows onto the streets and  nothing has been done to alleviate the problem.”

Prakash Chandra, who has been living in Jayanagar for the past 40 years, is opposed to the manner in which Metro project is unfolding.

“The Metro project is getting delayed due to various factors like funds crunch, labour problem, unpredictable weather conditions and non-cooperation of the residents. The residential areas are slowly, but surely, getting destroyed. But we, as residents, must cooperate as the project is for our own good”.

Little faith

The hundreds of trees that were felled for the project, continue to evoke strong reactions from many residents. One of them, Prabhu, who has little faith that the government will make up for the loss of greenery, says: “Gone are the days when we used to have a quiet walk. The space is bound to open up for commercial establishments, no matter what the people do to stop it.”

Fare fixation: ISEC to advice Metro

The BMRCL has tied up with the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) for assistance in fare fixation.

An ISEC expert committee headed by its Director Deshpande and at least two faculty members will work on ‘affordable and sustainable’ pricing strategy for the Namma Metro. A memorandum of understanding was entered between the two organisations on Monday.

The ISEC will conduct periodic studies and submit reports once six months to the Metro

Fare Fixation

The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), an arm of the Railways is expected to conduct the oscillation trials of the Reach-I of Namma Metro by month-end, South Western Railway sources said. The Corporation has been under fire from various quarters for delaying launch of commercial operation on  the Reach-I.