Metro Metro
The public hearing for the Pune Metro turned out to be a revelation. Probably after taking the assured steps that public opinion will be in the favour of Pune Municipal Corporation by publishing goody goody article in a marathi daily they seemed to taken aback to see such a well informed and critical audience. Of course there was the occasional pat on the back by one of their supporters for taking such a “grand” initiative. The initiative is grand indeed for the whopping 30 000 Cr that the Govt would be investing in such a project. The figure itself is large enough to raise anyone’s eyebrows.
What is the credibility of a Corporation which till date has not completed any infrastructure project within the stipulated time and budget (keeping aside the quality of the project itself)? The substandard and inadequate no of buses and its inefficient system is for all to see. The BRTS corridor with a project cost and time of a fraction of the Metro is the shameful example of a venture as a result of a half hearted attempt by the PMC.
Indeed, one should stop being cynical and let’s say we forget their past performance and we give them another chance. Let’s accept the Metro is the solution for all of Pune’s traffic problems, its infrastructure and transport issues. This despite the fact that there is no proven study claiming that the city requires a Metro as a solution. This despite the fact that a Comprehensive Mobility Plan which has been recommended several times is not in place. This means that even if the Metro is planned, it cannot be planned in isolation. It should be integrated with the supporting transport systems such as buses, rickshaws, cycles otherwise it remains an ad hoc attempt which will never work to its potential. So if the PMC is comparing the city to a budding Singapore somehow the vision seems lopsided. But then of course, somehow the Magic Metro will cure the city of all its problems.
So what is the PMC doing about letting it happen? They just go ahead and appoint the DMRC ( Delhi Metro Rail Corporation). Agreed, DMRC has the credibility that PMC doesn’t when it comes to execution of projects. So far, so good! But does that mean that DMRC should also plan the routes? Is the PMC accepting their decisions like taking an elevated corridor versus an underground one without any justification? Are they to be held responsible if the Metro does not run to its full capacity? Who will burden the costs if it doesn’t work? Why has the PMC accepted a measly document in the name of a Detailed Project Report from the DMRC without any detailed drawings, reports and surveys blindly which should come as a part of the consultancy. So many questions unanswered.
We haven’t touched the financials yet. Who will bear the cost of such an expensive project in Pune? What are the costs they have projected based on? If the proper survey of population and the commuting public has not been carried out, on what basis is the ridership worked on?
If the existing routes are going to be implemented it would prove useful to only 4% of the population of the city. Moreover, the DMRC is not responsible to supply power for this project. So the onus lies on the State Govt. It is difficult to believe that the same city which faces power cuts every day would have power made available 24 hours for the Metro. There are no figures for that yet, which means the costs projected are much higher than what is being portrayed.
There is no clear information that has been given out to the public at large as to which land needs to be acquired. Although the route mentions Karve road having considerable width, the plan shows the route passing through certain existing buildings.It isn’t clear yet as to how this will take place since the drawings are not detailed, What happens to Law College road which is already narrow? What about the citizen whose home will be affected to accommodate the Metro. Why the partiality to the Metro route which goes underground only on a 5 km stretch in the Peth areas? The report talks of “congested “area. Is there any statistic proving that Mangalwar Peth is more congested than Jungli Maharaj road? For a city where an estimated 600 vehicles are being registered every day, is concentrating only on one mode of transportation, which is no way cheap, justified by the Corporation or its supporters? If DMRC is only the executioner of the project, the PMC being the client is holding the reins, then why is there lack of information? If the DPR is incomplete and the project begins without the plan in place, can the city afford delays in a project of this magnitude?
If the so called Detailed Project Report requires no changes as per today’s news headlines in all the dailies, then why couldn’t the DMRC representative answer certain basic technical queries put forth by experts?
So the corporators have conveniently led the people to believe that the METRO is such a blessing; conveniently and on the basis of incomplete information. And of course the media conveniently publishes only one part of the story. No prizes for guessing whose side of the story. They haven’t mentioned one word of the questions raised by the NGOs and technical experts. Why such a hurry to start this project when numerous other infrastructure projects, are left incomplete? What happened to the River front development, the cycle tracks and the existing roads? There are definitely a lot of pot holes to repair, both on the roads and the DPR.
The sad conclusion is that if the projected cost and actual cost of the project do not match, then the project is likely to be compromised in quality or then abandoned midway. Can’t decide what is worse. It’s the city who will bear the costs, ultimately. If this project is to become a success, then there is a lot of work to be done. It’s high time the PMC realizes this fact.
* For those interested in knowing more about this movement this is a reference to various individuals and NGOs involved in the Pune Metro Jagruti Abhiyan.
devinakirloskar
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