‘Take note of citizens’ views before rolling out Metro’

Representatives of various city-based organisations have demanded to study the Metro Rail project thoroughly before implementing it,considering the Bus Rapid Transit System’s (BRTS) failure earlier.

The voluntary organisations include Alert,Surajya Sangharsha Samiti and Creative Foundation. “Since last week,dialogue on Pune Metro has once again started. We are also of the opinion that the Metro be implemented in the city. However,considering the track record of the Pune Municipal Corporation in implementing the BRTS,which actually failed and people had to suffer due to that incomplete project,views and opinions of all the stakeholders should be taken into account before rolling out the Metro,” said a release.

The organisations have also pointed out that four floor space index should not be given for the Metro project as it could put a burden on the infrastructure of the city. “Besides,there is some confusion about the land acquisition on Agriculture College land and the land in Kothrud,on which there was a garbage depot earlier,” the release said.

The purchase of PMPML buses,which is now mired in controversy,should be made only as per the requirement. The organisations have said that instead of purchasing any ‘exorbitant’ buses,the PMPML administration should focus more on the number of buses needed.