Traffic in Bengaluru's busy Central Business District (CBD) area is likely to be affected due to the work taken up by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on the underground section between Vellara Junction and Pottery Town.
The work is part of the Gottigere-Nagavara line of the Bengaluru metro. It led to Bengaluru's iconic Fatima Bakery and Hotel Tom's at Vellara Junction shutting shop on Thursday. The two outlets are set to be demolished along with a portion of the All Saints Church in the area. Two fuel outlets, BPCL and the Nagpal Service Station, on Residency Road were earlier shut down in February.
The metro station at Vellara Junction is going ahead despite protests by members of the All Saints'Church. The protestors and commuters feel that the construction work will create a traffic jam in the area. "Traffic on this road is already in a mess during peak hours. We are worried that the metro works will worsen the problems and make the stretch extremely dusty,” said Vignesh, a regular commuter speaking to Times of India.
BMRCL is planning to demolish Fatima Bakery, Hotel Tom's, Daniel Auto Garage among other buildings. Larsen and Tourbo has taken up the design and construction of underground structures.
Meanwhile, metro authorities’ plan to link Bengaluru city to the Kempegowda International Airport still remains unclear after airport authorities reportedly rejected proposals to construct elevated stations near the airport.
“Our DPR clearly states that the two stations at the airport will be elevated. One will be at the entrance near the Sky Garden and another near the terminal. We will look at the plan again and decide whether one of the stations can be at the ground level. Our work is going ahead and only the plan for these stations is on hold,” a BMRCL official told Deccan Chronicle.