BMRCL mixes realignment hopes of Jayadeva residents

Residents of Jayadeva interchange, whose properties are now in jeopardy because of the alignment of tracks in Metro’s Reach 2, hit another roadblock on Thursday when BMRCL released a statement making it very clear that the organisation will not seek “to review the decision to relocate stations.” It said that going back to the original plans of having the stations in Jayadeva Hospital is not feasible in the public’s own interest.

“The location of stations in Jayadeva hospital premises is not feasible in public interest and also other public infrastructure cannot be dismantled merely to protect the properties of some patrons who will be affected by the realignment decision,” the statement noted.

BMRCL also noted grievances filed by members of the public who will be affected by the alignment in the DPR of the Baiyappanahalli-Whitefield line near Vaidehi Hospital. “The alignment design leaves the BMTC facility unaffected  and we do not seek a review of the alignment as we consider the retention of the BMTC facility integrating with the Metro station in the vicinity in public interest,” it said.

This means more ordeal for residents of the Jayadeva interchange are. K Ramesh, coordinator of the Jayadeva Interchange Metro Victims’ Forum, said residents are still holding on to hope as elected officials have promised a revision.

“BMRCL only wants to save the hospital even though elected bodies and politicians have been saying they want to figure out a way to save both the hospital and our homes,” argued Ramesh. He also felt not all was lost until June 25 when BMRCL is set to meet members of the Public Investment Board.  “Our representatives who will also be in Delhi will show that the realignment will actually cost more than what BMRCL says it will,” he contended.