Karnataka High Court asks BMRCL to consider plea for metro station at Bettahalasur cross on airport line  

The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday directed the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) to consider representations given by the public for construction of a metro station at Bettahalasuru cross on the airport link line of Phase-2B metro project as was originally planned.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi issued the direction while disposing of a PIL petition, filed by B.G. Nanjundappa and four others from Bettahalasur area.

Not domain of court

However, the bench made it clear that it cannot issue any specific direction on the issue of construction of the station as the issue does not come under the domain of the court.

The petitioners had complained that the BMRCL in 2019 had planned a metro station at Bettahalasur cross, had acquired land for this purpose, and paid compensation to the land owners. However, the BMRCL dropped the plan of constructing station at Bettahalasur cross.

On enquiry made through RTI, the petitioner came to know that the plan of station at Bettahalasur cross was dropped as a private company, Embassy Group, had backed out from sponsoring the station as was agreed earlier.

In public interest

However, the petitioners have said that withdrawal of the private company from sponsoring the station should not result in construction of a station as it would be responsibility of the BMRCL to construction the station in public interest.

The petitioners have also pointed out that a station at Bettahalasur cross is essential as it is situated between Bagalur and Doddajala stations, which are situated around 4 km away from Bettahalasur cross on either side, as the BMRCL’s proposal is to have a station for every 4 km.