Ugadi as an auspicious day for chief minister BS Yeddyurappa to inaugurate the Metro Rail, as a festival gift for Bangaloreans, seems to be taking priority over the safety of commuters as well as the project itself.
Ugadi as an auspicious day for chief minister BS Yeddyurappa to inaugurate the Metro Rail, as a festival gift for Bangaloreans, seems to be taking priority over the safety of commuters as well as the project itself.
But in trying to respect the chief minister’s wishes, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is clearly trapped between the proverbial “devil and the deep sea”.
CM Yeddyurappa on Monday summoned BMRCL managing director, N Sivasailam, to press for speeding up works and ensure that all required clearances (safety certification, included) were obtained before the scheduled auspicious launch date—April 4 (Ugadi day).
However, commissioner for railway safety (CRS) KJS Naidu, although acknowledging the receipt of application from BMRCL for CRS to conduct the safety inspection, told DNA “But that is not enough. BMRCL has to clarify with more detailed reports if they want the work to speed up.” He, however, refrained from specifying what the “detailed reports” were. But what is clear is that “more detailed reports” means more time for the Metro Rail opening.
No fire clearance yet for Bangalore Metro
Moreover, Sivasailam had mentioned on Thursday that “Local inspectors have given us fire clearances for lifts and escalators.”
But when DNA checked with Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services (KSFES) – the only authority here who can give such clearances – this is what we found: “We had written our recommendations to them (BMRCL) on what they need to follow considering that most of their stations have the same design. But they have still not replied whether they have complied with those or not,” said BG Chengappa, director, KSFES. “Until they reply, I cannot send any report to my DIG who approves and decides when KSFES will go for inspection, only after which can we issue clearances.”
BJP national leader, Venkaiah Naidu, who is in Bangalore, had planned to ride on the Metro on Monday. But surprisingly, he retracted his decision within two hours.
CV Raman Nagar MLA, S Raghu, and deputy mayor, N Dayanand, visited Swami Vivekananda and Byappanahalli Metro stations on
Monday to see the work progress and analyse whether public safety is ensured. They merely said BMRCL was working hard to meet the deadlines.
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