BMRCL's Twitter accounts a big hit with users

Timely updates draw people keen to keep track of mega project

Want to get daily updates on Namma Metro or have a question to ask the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL)? A simple tweet may fetch you an answer in no time. The BMRCL’s active presence on social media has been well-received by users.

Handled by Chief Public Relations Officer UA Vasanth Rao, the BMRCL’s two official Twitter accounts have 1,126 and 1,497 followers, respectively, and around 2,000 tweets. The numbers are growing steadily.

Twitter accounts give updates on the progress of the Krishna Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), the monthly newsletter, tenders and other activities related to the BMRCL. Some people regularly follow these updates and even criticise BMRCL officials for delay in completion of the project or “false promises”.

Last week, Twitter user Shashi Bangalore wanted to know why there was delay in acquiring land for the crucial Baiyappanahalli-Whitefield Metro line. Vasanth Rao responded soon, “Large infrastructure projects r no child play sir, if yr land was under acq u wud challenge. V hv 2 deliver as per law (sic).”

Shashi was not happy with the reply. He said, “Interest of 275 property owners v/s 3 lakh who suffer every day.” In another tweet, he said, “as a suffering tax payer, I have the right to question and BMRCL is obligated to respond and act. This is the context (sic).”

Others too joined the discussion. Another Twitter user said, “In other cities, land acq & bidding stage for construction takes place together, but here it’s sequential. Wonder why? (sic)” BMRCL officials did not respond.

In another instance, on the BMRCL’s request during an unofficial discussion on Twitter, Dipika Bajpai, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bengaluru Urban, agreed to provide 1,000 flowering trees this month.

It’s not the same case with the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which are connected to a large section of population. The Bengaluru police are an exception as their Twitter and Facebook accounts are active in terms of attending to complaints.

Sanjeev V Dyamannavar, who is part of an advocacy group, says all government agencies, whose activities affect many people, should be on social media as these platforms have a large number of users. “Social media is an effective tool of interacting with the public. There should be a mechanism where people’s grievances and suggestions are recorded with due seriousness. Most of the times, this does not happen,” he said.