The Deccan Chronicle 27.09.2010
Metro station a’la London?Sept. 26: The state is pulling out all stops to lure Bengalureans to use Namma Metro. If talks between state authorities and BMRCL are successful, the Metro could boast of facilities like public libraries, aquatic centres and museums which are a common feature at metro stations in London and several South East Asian countries.
Town planners and policy advisors are in talks with Metro Rail representatives and other civic agencies to create venues of public interest along the Metro corridors. Such places, they argue, will lure more people to take the Metro and would eventually bring down the pressure on city roads.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, advisor to state government Vivek Menon said, “We are looking at the mass transit transport system around the world. Europrean countries like England and several South East Asian countries have built such public places along the routes of their mass transit transportation system. But the same has not been planned for Namma Metro. BMRC has acquired a lot of land which will not be used entirely for the rail network. This excess land along the Metro corridor could be converted into libraries, museums and other places of public interest. However, while planning, public-friendly entities should be given importance over commercial activities.”
Members of Agenda for Bangalore Infrastructure Development (ABIDe) and town planners are working towards developing public places across the Metro Rail alignment. Sports clubs, public libraries, exhibition centres and museums are being planned at these places. “If public places are built along the corridor, people who might use private vehicles to visit such places would switch to Metro Rail. This will eventually help in reducing congestion on city roads,” said Mr Menon.
“We already have a plan in place and prominent architects from the city are being roped in to work out the details. In fact, BMRC is also very keen to develop public places on their property. We would work towards this in the future,” he said, adding, “The only problem we face is bureaucrats who lack a sense of accountability. There is a huge implementation gap. But we are still pushing for such initiatives keeping in mind public interest. We are in talks with BMRC, BDA and BBMP.”
