Jamia, Khurshid don’t connect on Metro

Students of Jamia Millia Islamia and residents of the area, including Okhla MLA Asif Mohammad Khan, on Friday raised the red flag on Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid and Jamia Vice-Chancellor Najeeb Jung's opposition to the proposed Metro station in the university.

"Doesn't Salman Khurshid want the Muslim community to be connected by the Metro to the rest of the city? Nearly 10 lakh people will benefit when the corridor comes up. It is wrong for him to deny them this opportunity," Khan said.

Khurshid has contended that the Jamia Metro station could prove to be a security threat and "spoil the sanctity" of the institute.

"The Metro is a gift. Once functional, it will solve the traffic problems in the area." Batla House councillor Shoaib Danish said.

The 33.5-km Janakpuri West-Kalindi Kunj corridor will pass through Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar road —- the main road linking Jamia Nagar and Batla House to Mathura Road and South Delhi.

A member of the Jamia Old Boys Club, 50-year-old Asad, said: "The argument that the station will compromise the sanctity of the university and that students will become corrupt is totally baseless."

Students and residents of the area said the Metro station solve their transportation woes.

"The bus service for the university is pathetic. The Metro station will be help tide over the crisis. If DU can have a Metro station, why can't we?" Talha Ehtasham, a first year MA student in Jamia, said.

"For girls, the Metro is the safest mode of transport. It won't be a security threat. Instead, it will enhance our safety," Tabassum, a BEd student, said.

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