Just happened to see the inner view of MG Road station in the BMRCL newsletter. (I cannot paste a link to it so have to embed it. Image Courtesy: BMRCL).
It looks refreshingly devoid of commercial jazz and has a soothing feeling to it compared to other Metro railways all over the world.
The question is - How long is it going to be like this ? - is this a conscious descision/lack of commercial exploitation foresight or is it just a matter of time ?
p.s.: Notice how there are no parapet walls adjoining the stairway or the escalator.
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Namma Metro is different
In no way one can compare Namma Metro stations to other Metro Station around the world. Metro Stations all over the world provide adequate parking facilities for both public and private transport, connectivity with other transports etc. In Bangalore non of the stations have enough parking space for private vehicles. Priority need to be given to bus stops etc. It is just a matter of time metro stations may resemble like underpass between Majestic Bus Stand and Railway station which is occupied by unauthorised vendors.
needs pt connection..
Parking facilities are mostly needed at end/termination points or major stations..which I think is a valid point and BMRCL is upto it..
However connectivity to public transport is something which has be almost totally missed in phase I of metro..for example..
Such examples are many..and unfortunately is the result of no co-ordination
connectivity and parking at Namma Metro
Topics like connectivity to feeder services, TTMC's, integration of fare collection systems, Park N ride have been discussed in Praja forums here http://praja.in/en/catego... and with BMRCL here http://praja.in/en/blog/n...
BMRCL has shown "sufficient" interest in making this happen. But sufficient is a subjective word.
Quoting from The Hindu http://m.thehindu.com/new...
"Since Namma Metro is mandated to reduce the traffic burden on roads by attracting users of private vehicles, BMRCL is providing park and ride facilities at some of the Metro stations. On Reach 1, park and ride facilities are being offered at Byappanahalli and Swami Vivekananda Road Stations. While Byappanahalli has quite a large space for parking, S.V. Road has relatively less space"
Disclosure: I am not a BMRCL employee or agent.
Metro authorities threaten, abuse us
Basavanagudi residents are allegedly being bullied by project site engineer for complaining about deplorable roads conditions, open drains in area
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Namma Metro is different
Prajas deserve better, though not the best on par with users of the Vidhana Soudha section of Bangalore. It is probably because BMRCL can do a better job only in certain areas and can afford to neglect the other areas, or may be the contractors who have taken up the responsibility of giving good roads are irresponsible. Being bullied by project site engineer for complaining about deplorable road conditions is because Namma Metro is different from other Metro around the world even while executing the works
CBD
I think CBD of the city deserves priority over rest of the BBMP limits. We cant afford to cater same to all places with equality.
We cant afford to cater same
We cant afford to cater same to all places with equality.
Why not?
limited budget
When you have limited budget how can you cater it to full city? You have to prioritize CBD in such case. Some people may argue they want same facility in entire India, but our govt is not wealthy enough. We can have landscaping and fountains around Vidhana Soudha, but how can you demand same landscaping from govt in Chord Road or KR puram? Hope I made my point clear.
When you have limited budget
When you have limited budget how can you cater it to full city?
Safety provisions & alternate ped/vehicular pathways during construction are built into the budget. The people in the incident are not asking for fountains. They are demanding safe construction practices. It is immature to say that vidhan soudha can be provided a well defined roadway during construction but MG road or Chord road cannot.
ALL constructions have to follow SAME safety provisions regardless of where it is being done. If it canot be provided dont start ANY construction anywhere. It is not acceptable to budget for safety for some people & not for others.
water fountains & landscaping
We can have landscaping and fountains around Vidhana Soudha, but how can you demand same landscaping from govt in Chord Road or KR puram?
If you start a project called "water fountains & landscaping for entire city", it is incumbent on you to provide the water fountains & landscaping for the entire city at the same service level & quality. On the other hand if the project is titled "water fountains & landscaping for vidhan soudha" you are expected to provide it for vidhan soudha only. You cannot include "entire city" in the title & provide it only for vidhan soudha or provide inferior water fountains for the rest of the city. I hope I have made my point clear.
Why the budget is limited ?
Collection of taxes and providing basic amenities to their subjects are the fundamental duties of the Government irrespective of the location. It only requires proper supervision and control by the authorities concern over the agencies to whom the work has been entrusted and see to it that they execute a better job. This do not requires a big budget. Prajas’ demands in this context are limited to good motor able roads, proper drainage system which are reasonable and not landscaping and fountains.
Does limited budget affect the quality of work
@ Rackstar
Does it mean that citizen who live in areas like Chord Road or K R Puram do not deserve even the basic amenities and the prority should be given to the users of CBD / Vidhana Soudha Section and provide users with luxurious landscaping and fountains.?
Does the quality of work, materials used and the process of execution of work differ between CBD and the rest of the BBMP Limits on account of limited resources?
priority to CBD
Limited budget is known fact, BBMP presented 8000 crore budget but could accumulate only around 4000 crores. Priority given to CBD pays off more than what is invested, landscaping i just told for an example, but aesthetics of CBD will attract more investments to city than good roads in Chord Road. Nothing wrong in investing more where returns are more.
You can always demand good roads and basic amenities in your area, but asking things because such things are in CBD is not the right way. One report says roads are maintained better near vidhana soudha but not near chord road, that comparison is wrong.
One report says roads are
One report says roads are maintained better near vidhana soudha but not near chord road, that comparison is wrong
That report shows photographic evidence of RV road (not chord road).
CBD pays off more than what is invested
Public expenditure need not necessarily pay off more than what is invested. Certain expenses are incurred by the State for the welfare of the people. Here the question is should we sacrifice the safety and welfare measures of rest of the BBMP Limits and invest in CBD for the sake of attracting more investments in to the city or NOT. Any additional expenditure in CBD should be self financing like parking fee collection within the CBD zone, collection of congestion charges for entering the CBD zone, by issuing parking permits to the residence for parking their vehicles on the Road etc, and not by diverting the expenditure on bear necessity of rest of the BBMP Limits.
The statement made in one of report is perfect, fair and justified that the roads are maintained better near Vidhana Soudha but not near Chord Road/R.V. Road and the demand is not for landscaping and fountains maintained around Vidhana Soudha.
Trees
BMRCL said they would plant trees when they finish the construction. The Reach1 is almost complete but they have not started to plant any trees in that stretch.
More than planting, the need is to maintain them
I see a lot of trees being planted many places, the little saplings, but nobody seems to take care of them afterwards and thus those never turn into trees.
Deepak
Construction of Stations more difficult than Metro?
A question that frequently arises when heard about Namma Metro reach 1 is that the test trains are running fine between MG Road and Byappanahalli. But the stations are not ready many of them not even 50% complete. Is this poor Project Management or is it really difficult. Can BMRCL take the lessons to other reaches.
Also, there are lots of things not disclosed to public by BMRCL such as the sharp curve issues published in Deccan Chronicle and the time taken by CRS and RDSO to approve. Seeing all these, I think we may not ride full Bangalore Metro reach 1 even by 2015.
Sharp Curve
The BMRCL can review their ongoing projects based on their experience and the lessons they have learned from Reach 1 including the Sharp Curve issues.The Sharp Curve issues if any, could be avoided by acquiring extra piece land before starting the excavation works in other reaches. As far as Reach 1 is concern, commuters’ safety is to be ensured before making it operational.
refreshingly different?
What Bangalore Metro needs is more openness
Speakers and guests at the conference were also taken aback to note that BMRCL chose not to participate in the seminar. “BMRCL’s non-participation at Metro Rail 2011 says it all,”
No Feeder Service from Corporation / Basaveshwara Circle
Most of the southern Bangalore is connected to Basaveshwara Circle. It would have been highly convenient if provided from Corporation Circle.
So is the case from Byappanahalli. They should have provided to ITPL as well as Marathalli.