BMTC to phase out Metro feeder services? - Express Buzz - 3/11/11

BMTC to phase out Metro feeder services?

Shyam Sundar Vattam

Express News Service

Last Updated : 03 Nov 2011 09:54:14 AM IST

 

 

 

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) plans to gradually phase out feeder services to the ‘Namma Metro’ temporarily due to lack of patronage.

The corporation may re-introduce the feeder services once Phase 1 works are completed. The BMTC, before the inauguration of Metro train services, had deployed a fleet of buses to cater to the demands of commuters. But now it is finding difficult to run the service as not more than 2 or 3 commuters travel in each bus even during peak hours. More than the cost, the BMTC feels, it is not viable to run the buses empty even in busy hours.

“The corporation does not mind running feeder buses even if there are 15-16 passengers in each bus but certainly not for 2-3 persons,” said Srinivasan, Managing Director of BMTC. 

He told Express that the idea of having feeder services is to facilitate the commuters of Metro train. Now it is found that there are not many passengers for feeder buses. Besides, Byappanahalli Metro Station is not a work centre because of which there are no regular commuters in these buses. 

People may start using feeder services if the Metro train service is extended up to Peenya or other places where there are big chunks of workers. In view of this, the BMTC has started phasing out the feeder services at many places. 

It is also running feeder services from far off places like Majestic and Banashankari since many people are flocking M G Road and Byappanahalli stations for a ‘jolly ride’ in Metro trains. 

“The feeder services are being withdrawn from most parts of the city. We are hopeful of reintroducing them once Phase 1 works are over so that it will be more effective,” Srinivasan said. 

Meanwhile, around 9am on Tuesday, there were hardly a dozen people in three coaches of the metro train, a commuter told Express.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/bmtc-to-phase-out-metro-feeder-services/329315.html

 

Mumbai citizens to protest Metro construction's slow progress - DNA - 5/11/2011

Mumbai citizens to protest Metro construction's slow progress

Published: Saturday, Nov 5, 2011, 1:01 IST 
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

he delay in the completion of the city’s most awaited and ambitious Metro Railway project has irked the suburban population of Mumbai. People living in the areas of construction are all set to register their protest against the authorities at three different places on Saturday from 12pm to 6pm.

The construction, which was supposed to conclude by the end of 2011, is far from being completed. "There are approximately 30 lakh people residing in the areas of Varsova, Vira Desai, Andheri, SEEPZ, Sakinaka and Ghatkopar. There are commercial complexes, airport and a number of industries which make these a high traffic area. The metro rail work, which is progressing at snail’s pace has added to the misery of the commuters as well as the residents in the area," said Shailendra Kamble, secretary, Eastern Suburbs Tehsil committee of Communist Party of India (Marxist). He added that, along with traffic jams the residents are also facing problems related to water, electricity and telephone services.

"The air pollution due to continuous construction activity is another problem. There are heaps of soil, iron rods, machines, barricades etc blocking the road, putting people's lives in danger," added Kamble. The leftist party along with Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), has planned demonstrations today at three places, namely Marol Naka, Saki Naka junction and Andheri(W) near Singar hotel, demanding that the construction speed up.

DYFI had initiated a movement few years ago, demanding the quadrupling of railway lines between Borivli and Virar, a demand that was fulfilled after continuous struggle. Now the organisation is planning to launch a similar mass movement in the western suburbs for the Metro Railway project.

"We are not against the project, but the clash between BMC and MMRDA is slowing the work down and citizens are losing their patience," he said.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_mumbai-citizens-to-protest-metro-construction-s-slow-progress_1607662

 

GHMC won’t take up metro rail civic works: Panel - Times of India -25/11/2011

GHMC won’t take up metro rail civic works: Panel

TNN | Nov 25, 2011, 02.33AM IST

HYDERABAD: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) standing committee has rejected to take up civic works on the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) corridors. A resolution to this effect was passed by the standing committee meeting on Thursday. 

Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) members raised objections over the issue of civic works like formation of footpath, construction of storm water drains on the Musheerabad-RTC Crossroads- Narayanguda stretch to be taken up at a cost of Rs 11 crore after widening the roads for Hyderabad Metro Rail. Metro corridor-2 from JBS to Falaknuma passes through Musheerabad and Narayanaguda. The road is being widened to 100 feet by the GHMC, but funds for land acquisition are being released by the HMR. "Why should the GHMC spend Rs 11 crore for HMR's works? HMR should release funds for these works," the MIM members pointed out. 

The MIM members also said the rail developer, L&T, would get good ad revenue once the road would be widened and metro rail becomes operational. The members demanded a resolution should be passed demanding 50% advertisement revenue from the developer after metro trains become operational. Agreeing on the concern, the standing committee adopted a unanimous resolution on the issue.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/GHMC-wont-take-up-metro-rail-civic-works-Panel/articleshow/10862294.cms

English Translation of MCGM Letter

Ta.Ka.No.198

Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai

             No.Ma.Che/5842 / Manpa

Office of Municipal Corporation

Mumbai Date:30.08.2011

TRUE COPY

To
The Administrative Officer (Committee)
Office of Municipal Commissioner- Mumbai.

Ref:  Memo No. MCT / 7649 dated 29.08.2011

Sir,

I wish to inform you that following resolution is passed in the meeting of Municipal Corporation on 29.08.2011.  

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION RESOLUTION No..529 dated 29th August ‘ 2011.

“Ref:  

1) Commissioner’s letter No.Praa/vi.ni/1836 / PuUp.M dated 3.5.2010

2) Statement made by Dy. Commissioner (Improvement) of Municipal Corporation on 31.5.2010 in the meeting of Improvement Committee

3) Noting  of members after  inspecting the said sites by Members of improvement Committee on 19.6.2010

4) Commissioner’s Report  No.PraA/2648 /Vini/PuUp.M dated 13.9.2010 and 5) Resolution No.78 of Improvement Committee dated 5.8.2011.

Urban Land Development Department of Government of  Maharashtra has published  Notification as per latest revised Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, 1966, clause 37(1AA) on 5th December ‘ 2009 bearing no.TPB/4308 /2993 / pra.kra -331 / 08 / Navi -11 in accordance with the said notification CTS NO.1(Part), 3 (Part), 4 (part), 5 (part) and 6(Part) of Village Mandale and CTS No.3 (Part) of Village Turbhe being area falling under  “Non- development Zone”,  area of 24 hectares of land reserved for proposed Metro Rail is to be excluded and the balance area is to be converted into Zone I-3 in such a way that the said land can be used for MRTS, Car Depot / Work Shop, equivalent project and commercial (Use)   and to be included in reservation for these reasons.  Government has informed this to Dy. Director Town Planning giving their opinion to make necessary changes in the re-development plan and to include the same in the reservation.  The said  proposal is put up by the Commissioner for approval.

1) Mumbai Municipal Corporation is not agreeing with the said opinion  

2) The residence of that area who would  be affected due to the said Project are required to be rehabilitated in that area only.  There would not be  Environmental damage to existing Mangroves of that area which is to be taken into account.  

3)  The land required for project is not explained as to  whom it belongs i.e. Municipal Corporation or Government of Maharashtra.  Municipal Corporation has been acquiring land under various reservations.  However when the said land is given to Metro Rail Project what benefit Municipal Corporation will be getting is not clearly mentioned.  

4) Metro Rail has damaged many kilometers of roads belonging to MCGM in their area.  However Metro Rail has not made any provision for repairing  the said roads or to re-built the said roads. 

5) To vacate and acquire 100 acres of land under the name of Metro Rail and to make use of the said land for commercial purpose and thereby benefitting  few companies, MCGM is opposing this proposal  and

6) Additional FSI is being created above the area of Metro Rail Station and the same is being enforced upon the  Mumbai City.  

For these reasons  permission is not granted.

2)  In connection with the subject matter, the members of Improvement Committee had inspected the said sites and in that respect observations made are to be  submitted in the office for record.      

For Secretary – Mumbai Mahanagarpalika

Ajit Pawar defends NCP’s stand on Pune metro - DNA - 6/11/2011

Ajit Pawar defends NCP’s stand on Pune metro

Published: Sunday, Nov 6, 2011, 16:59 IST 
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Pune

Deputy chief minister and leader of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Ajit Pawar on Saturday justified the about turn by his party on the proposed metro railway project and bio-diversity 
park (BDP).

Pawar was speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an event in the city. He indirectly expressed unhappiness about chief minister Prithviraj Chavan who on Monday had declared in the city that 4% construction would be allowed in the BDP.

He said, “I had told the chief minister that citizens in Pune have different opinions about allowing construction in BDP. Hence, opinions of all groups should be taken into account before declaring a decision about it.’’

He said that people are suffering due to elevated metro railway projects in Bangalore and Mumbai. Although the expenditure for underground metro is three times that of elevated metro, it is more beneficial in the long run.

Accoring to Pawar, the NCP had initially supported the elevated metro railway project in the city in view of the expenditure. But considering the experience of citizens where elevated metro railway is built, NCP felt that there should be a correction in the stand. Work on the project has not even started in the city. “What is wrong in correcting the mistake?’’ Pawar asked.

Indicating opposition to allow construction in the BDP, he said that the NCP had nevertaken a stand about allowing construction. The party is of the opinion that hills around the city are its pride and they should remain green.

He said that funds can be raised with the help of central government, state government and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the proposed BDP. Money can be raised also by providing transferable development rights (TDR) and floor space index (FSI) in other areas.

He challenged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde to prove that he has partnership with city builders.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_ajit-pawar-defends-ncps-stand-on-pune-metro_1608400

Motorists fume as debris piles up below Andheri metro girder - DNA - 11/11/2011

Motorists fume as debris piles up below Andheri metro girder

Published: Friday, Nov 11, 2011, 8:00 IST 
By Ninad Siddhaye | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

To businessman Dinesh Pujari, the daily commute to an industrial estate in Saki Naka is no less than a ride through hell. Heaps of debris left unattended under the metro girders on the Andheri-Kurla Road pose a risk to hundreds of motorists.

“Right from the Western Express highway, the entire stretch of the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road (AGLR) is in a mess, thanks to the metro construction debris. While in some stretches, the debris is inside the metro fencing, major portions, where work has been completed, have heaps of debris, simply left unattended. Many portions of this debris have grass growing on it, which means that it has been there for ages now,” alleged Pujari.

Pranin Mankar, who works in the Hansa Industrial Estate on the Saki Vihar Road, complained that he suffered from frequent bouts of cough and cold due to dust from the open debris. “It is difficult to understand how such a high-level project leaves behind dust and debris even after construction of the girders is complete.”

Many motorists in Saki Naka complained of respiratory problems from travel on the AGLR.

Occupants of several industrial estates have now raised the issue with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). “I see minor mishaps, particularly those involving bikers when they take U-turns under the metro girder,” said Pujari.

While MMRDA spokesperson Dilip Kawathkar said it was the responsibility of the Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) to remove the debris, he promised action.

A source in the MMOPL, though, was quick to rise to the firm’s defence. “Our company had in the past carried out a debris disposal programme, for which we took the help of an NGO and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. But, there are many private players who misuse the barricaded area to dump their own debris.”

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_motorists-fume-as-debris-piles-up-below-andheri-metro-girder_1610716

 

Mumbai Metro 2 to wait till civic polls are over - DNA - 14/11/2011

Mumbai Metro 2 to wait till civic polls are over

Published: Monday, Nov 14, 2011, 8:00 IST 
By Ninad Siddhaye | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

 

The city’s longest metro line and the second, the 32-km Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd metro line, may soon be the worst-delayed metro project in the country.

The government has claimed that the first metro line, Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar, would be completed by November next year.
With the civic elections around three months away, sources in the state government have confirmed that the chief minister has decided not to start work for the second metro line before the election process is completed.

While it has been over two years since the bhoomipujan for the alignment, the opposition to an elevated metro by the residents living between Bandra and Andheri has been quite vocal. “The chief minister has decided that the government cannot go against the residents before the elections as this can hamper the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party during the civic elections,” said an official from the urban development (UD) department.

“Moreover, there is a public interest litigation against the second metro in the Bombay high court. Hence, most likely the construction will only start after the civic elections,” he added.
Elections are not the only reason for the metro line delay. The ministry of environment and forests has refused to grant permission to construct a car depot on the land identified at Charkop.

“There is a parallel plot being identified. The washing of the rakes will be done on this plot while the rakes will be parked on the original plot,” said TC Benjamin, principal secretary, UD department. He refused to comment on when the work would start.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_mumbai-metro-2-to-wait-till-civic-polls-are-over_1612130