Activits, MP angry after BMRCL skips Metro accessibility event

Activists and NGOs preparing for Saturday’s roundtable conference on accessibility at metro stations were sent into a tizzy by an unusual press release by BMRCL stating its officials will not attend the event.

Activists reacted to the release with surprise and anger with some taking exception to the language. Many said the BMRCL could have simply ignored the invitation instead of issuing a release to say they have “boycotted” the event.

Sanjeev Dyamannavar, one of the first persons to raise the issue of Cantonment metro station, said BMRCL has neither responded to repeated queries nor shared project details unlike metro corporations in Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Nagpur and others.

“At least they could have attended the event and understood the problems we are facing due to lack of accessibility to metro stations. We did not expect this response from an organisation that is supposed to serve the public,” he said.

Citizens for Bengaluru convener Srinivas Alavilli said it was unrfortunate to see BMRCL’s statement. “We request them to reconsider and attend this public discussion. We don’t expect them to deliver instant solutions. We want them to hear from citizens, especially those who have personal experiences with integration issues,” he said.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has been facing opposition to its decision to shift a proposed metro station in Gottigere-Nagawara line from a site in front of Cantonment railway station to Madina Ground in Bamboo Bazaar, nearly a kilometre away.
After a series of protests, BMRCL called a press conference to explain the reasons for shifting the station, all of which were rebutted by activists who also released a document backing their arguments with evidences.

MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who has recently backed the activists seeking metro station in front of Cantonment railway station, said: “I am shocked that a public money funded enterprise ie, Bengaluru Metro - is seeking to avoid a well-meaning citizens’ roundtable on metro by quoting media presence. Absolutely unacceptable behaviour and conduct.”