Bhopal Metro Good-Bad-or-Indifferent !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like it happened in every city of India, in Bhopal, too, the people are wondering whether the city of lakes really needs MetroRail or not. Some insist that it is going to be a waste — of money and energy and time, with no actual results except the major infrastructure that rises several feet above the ground. But then, there are others who insist that MetroRail is going to be the main urban transport of future, being made ready to meet the demand of commuters whose numbers will swell to phenomenal proportions. Obviously, only time will decide what is in store for Bhopal MetroRail project. Until that happens — the moment of decision if Metro is the need of the city or it is a waste — the two camps, pro-Metro and anti-Metro, will keep squabbling between them. No matter the common people, there are two camps on the issue even in the governmental bureaucracy — though no one would like say anything openly against the idea at least currently. Yet, there are people even in the bureaucracy harbouring doubts about the actual utility of MetroRail in Bhopal.

 

Such debates have taken place in every possibly city around the country — Kolkata and Delhi included. In fact, Delhi faced the bitterest debate because the Metro Project was brought up just ahead of the Asian Games years ago. No matter the efficiency of the Metro Man of India Dr E Sreedharan, the project was heaping lots of trauma and hardships on the people Delhi — dug-up roads, traffic snarl-ups .. and what not. In Kolkata, too, similar issues cropped up, and the city found itself divided in its opinion on the need for a MetroRail transport. Bhopal is no different. There are two distinct camps that propose and promote or oppose MetroRail rather tooth-and-nail. Yet, through the thick and thin of proposition and opposition, MetroRail in Bhopal has come up full height in the first phase that cost the exchequer Rs 238.52 crore. The authorities have already begun trial runs in anticipation of possible launch of commercial operations in a couple of months. Yet, fingers remain crossed about the actual utility of MetroRail. For, the areas in which the tall and expensive infrastructure has come up do not seem to be ready for commuter-transport by MetroRail. These areas are Subhash Nagar, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Board Office Square to DB Mall, Maharana Pratap Nagar and Rani Kamalapati Railway Station.

 

This route — all of 27.9 kilometers — may not have much commuter usage since most people use their own vehicles — either two-wheelers or four-wheelers — to commute to work and back or for shopping (which holds fantastic attractions for inveterate shoppers and impulsive buyers). “So, what will be the actual use of Metro?”, ask people who oppose the idea. “Wait and watch how MetroRail takes off in our city,” retort the pro-Metro people.

‘May they keep debating on the issue. When the MetroRail operations reach full swing, the very experience of riding a Metro over and above most buildings in the city will create a sensation among the early users. Those people will become the actual ambassadors of goodwill for MetroRail’, say some sources in MetroRail office on condition of anonymity. But then, why are the seeking to remain behind the curtain if they are so sure about the outcome in due course of time? — one wonders. To this, the sources respond that they have not been officially permitted to say anything about the project. Okay.

 

That is acceptable, given the way Government works these days. But the argument that the MetroRail may attract tourist-commuters just for the sheer thrill, somehow appears to be substantial. For, in several other cities, like Nagpur, have had similar experience about MetroRail. Initially, Nagpur MetroRail had only touch-and-go usership. But as the word spread, the numbers started swelling — though not very satisfactorily. By now, that is in about five years, Nagpur MetroRail boasts of about 80-85 thousand commuters every day. On one great day, the peak of 2,00,000 was scaled. Though the number of utility-users is rising, like students or industrial workers coming from distant areas, the overall response is slower than what was anticipated or projected. “But that is no reason to be disappointed — since we are creating the project for future use,” said a high officer in MetroRail Nagpur (who did not want to be named). But his optimism is visible in the project. Almost a similar mood may be expected in Bhopal as well. Currently, however, since things are in initial stages, the actual good effect of the project may not be fathomable to many. No matter all that, Bhopal is at the moment harbouring a debate whether the city really needs MetroRail or not. We will have to allow much time to pass to know the outcome on the ground.