Bangalore Metro by 2010/11? Think again!

I relocated to namma bengalooru in April '07. The big news here at that time was that metro rail system was in prorgess and the reckless traffic would dissolve into a peaceful ride in the air-conditioned coaches of the metro by early 2011! Its an year since then and I have only been seeing false promises, mismanagement and endless public land acquisition hearings; the reality is that NO progress has been achieved in this regard.

The initial phase was supposed to end at the beginning of 2008 and this included completion of the foundation work forthe rail line in MG road (Anil Kumble circle to Trinity circle -> as far as I remember seeing it on the Metro's information board placed at MG road!). I witnessed the beginning of the work myself. They raised barricades on either side of the road, halving the width of the arterial MG road! Though agonised by the traffic & pollution caused by these changes, the people were happy that the work for a better transportation, long overdue in bangalore, has begun.
Now, well past the deadline for completing the foundation work, the metro line in MG road has nothing to boast of; it has only increased the traffic woes. The BMRC has just started to put the pillars in place (view the pic i clicked just a month ago!) The workers were still struggling to place the pillar in the proper place and position. And to top it all, this was the first of the series of pillars to be erected on the MG road!! After months of starting the work, the BMRC has slowly coming up with different reasons for the delay - resource scarcity, land acquisition etc.

When they were handed over such a huge, didnt they had to plan and anticipate the troubles at the very start itself? With all these issues, the BMRC is still promising to complete the work in 3-4 years time!! I really wish they do. Afterall, no one can stop me from wishing!

Shaaz.