Another MP joins Cantonment Metro station issue

Days after MP P C Mohan objected to the change in location of the proposed Cantonment Metro station, Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar joined the debate by taking up the issue with BMRCL officials on Wednesday.

In a letter to Union Minister for Urban Development Narendra Singh Tomar, a copy of which was sent to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Rajeev Chandrasekhar questioned BMRCL’s decision to change the location.

Noting that integration of different modes of transport is the “fundamental” principle while implementing the Metro project, the MP said, “If the citizens feel that having a Metro at Cantonment is convenient, then BMRCL has to heed to the suggestion. There are no two ways to look at it. Moreover, reasons by BMRCL should be a valid and transparent. Because this decision will (have an) impact for the next 40 years,” the letter said.

The MP’s letter comes following a campaign by residents of Vasanthnagar and activists who have argued that BMRCL should follow the original detailed project report that put the Metro station opposite to Cantonment railway station.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar claimed that BMRCL officials have assured them that they will make a presentation to the public to convince them of the relocation.

Survey by activists

On Wednesday, residents and activists of Citizens for Bengaluru, Praja and other organisations held a survey at Cantonment railway station seeking the opinion of commuters on the best location for the Metro station.

“We found that 90% of the people were not aware of the issue. Some of them were vaguely aware of it. Hence, we had to explain to them the original alignment and the change made by BMRCL,” said Rajkumar Dugar, a resident of Vasanthnagar, who took part in the survey.

He said there was “overwhelming” support for building the Metro station next to the railway station. “Most of the respondents said ‘no way’ to shifting of the station. They said they will join the protest,” he said.

DH News Service