Bengaluru’s elevated Namma Metro line low on safety standards

The recent accident where a reinforcement structure collapsed killing a mother and her toddler-son has brought to focus the lack of adherence to standard operating protocols. The BMRCL says based on suggestions made in the investigation report, safety protocols would be revised so that such incidents do not repeat

Absence of pedestrian paths, garbage dumped near work sites, difficulty in accessing skywalks, poorly maintained streets, absence of signage — these are just some of the inconveniences that road users near Namma Metro work sites are putting up with.

The recent accident near HBR Layout in East Bengaluru, when a reinforcement structure collapsed on a moving bike killing a mother and her toddler son, exposed yet again poor safety standards of the metro project.

Under fire, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) suspended the construction of metro pillars that are 12 metres in height on the ORR-Airport line (Central Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport) and other corridors.

After the incident, the High Court of Karnataka initiated suo motu a PIL petition to examine the safety measures put in place for the project. Metro officials claim that the recent incident was the first such while executing the project in which deaths of civilians were reported. In the past, there were several incidents of construction workers getting killed at metro work sites or road users getting injured.

For a reality check on whether interests of motorists and pedestrians are being protected, The Hindu visited the ORR-Airport line (under phase II A & B) and Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara (phase II) corridors.

On the ORR-Airport stretch (Blue Line), the BMRCL is building a 55 km line from Central Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) via K.R. Puram, Nagawara and Hebbal. From Silk Board to Hebbal, the metro alignment is on the median of the busy Outer Ring Road by occupying 9 metres of the road. From Hebbal to Trumpet, the elevated line goes on the service road of the National Highway. The BMRCL is constructing more than 2,500 pillars on the 55 km stretch to link the city with the KIA.

Saurav Kumar, a regular commuter from Hebbal to Bellandur, said, “I usually go on bike to my work place. After the recent incident, it is very scary to go near the metro worksite. BMRCL should ensure that such incidents do not repeat.”