Snubbed, corporators rail against Bangalore's Namma Metro

The alleged humiliation faced by BBMP corporators at the hands of Metro authorities took the BBMP council meeting by storm on Saturday.

Shantalanagar corporator K Shivakumar expressed his displeasure over not being invited for Metro inauguration. He said protocol demanded that the local corporator be invited. Further, he said the Metro runs on the BBMP land but has not displayed the Palike’s logo anywhere, which is an insult.

“Due to the Metro work, the entrance to some commercial establishments have been blocked or damaged and shops are incurring losses. I request the mayor to demand an apology from BMRCL MD Sivasailam,” he said.

Peenya Industrial Area corporator KL Thimmananjaiah, too, was offended by the behaviour of Metro authorities. He said the mayor, deputy mayor and BBMP commissioner Siddaiah were insulted during the function as they were denied entry. “While the mayor was not allowed to deliver a speech, the deputy mayor and commissioner were not allowed inside the train,” he said.

JD(S) leader Padmanabha Reddy sarcastically said corporators were invited to be a part of the crowd. Jayamahal corporator Gunashekar demanded that the commissioner levy taxes on the Metro as it is a commercial venture and not an essential service such as Bescom or the BMTC.

Referring to Section 110 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act, he said the commissioner should and can levy property tax, advertisement tax and garbage cess on BMRCL.

Siddaiah refused to be dragged into the debate. Regarding collecting property tax from BMRCL, he said the BBMP would collect the tax for Metro stations and properties constructed on Palike’s land. He added that the BBMP would collect garbage cess and advertisement tax too.

“We have already started collecting measurement details of the Metro. The BMRCL has agreed to pay property tax and other taxes. It has sought more time to pay the tax. They have also agreed to pay advertisement tax”, he said.