Metro spells mayhem for MKK Road residents

While people have lost the quietude, traders have been robbed of their business

All due to the Namma Metro work, which they were promised would be over in 18 months, but is still far from completion.

“If the work continues at this pace, we will surely suffer for at least two more years,” said Mohiuddin, a hardware trader on MKK Road.

Among the common complaints of the traders are the steep decline in business, traffic congestion, innumerable diversions and lack of safety measures by contractors at the work spot.

“We have lost almost 90 per cent of the business in the last two years. Many shops have been closed due to the slump in business,” said Satish, a
trader.

Long diversion

Due to the blocking of the main roads, residents are forced to take long diversions. These diversions lead into the calm residential areas, creating chaos in the bylanes.

“We are facing two major problems. One, the huge traffic in the bylanes and the other is the late night Metro work, which is giving us sleepless nights,” said Venkatesh, a resident of Maruti Extension.

Long wait

The project officials believe that once work on the viaduct (elevated structure) is completed, MKK Road can be used by motorists.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) spokesperson said: “On an average, it requires seven days to launch the viaduct from one pillar to another. The exact time cannot be speculated at the moment.”

Compensation

Another grouse of the residents is over the compensation for land acquired. They said they were not paid as per the market value of their land. Though the compensation was paid without any hassles, it was in accordance with the government value, which is much less than the market value.

Non-maintenance of streetlights and footpaths damaged due to the Metro work, is also a matter of deep concern for the people of MKK Road and surrounding areas.
Officials of the BMRCL and the BBMP blame each other for the non-maintenance of the streetlights.