Nationally important institutions such as DRDO, ISRO, NAL, HAL and IISc together have approximately 20 facilities in the City, most concerned with the activities of national security, but none have put such a notice.
For a project built with public money, the BMRCL has not been famous for transparency, nor has it been a stickler for the countless deadlines it has set for self. Media scrutiny, or comment on the delays that the publicly funded project is not tolerated by the BMRCL brass, who have willy nilly turned the institution into a fortress of secrecy.
With the September deadline, 15 days going by former chief minister Yeddyurappa’s announcement and 30 days going by his successor’s, Deccan Herald tried to bring its readers a glimpse of the stations when a security guard prevented the entry of its reporter into the MG Road station, pointing to the notice put up prominently outside the station. “You (the media) are not authorised to enter the premises,” he said bluntly. He, of course, was only following orders.
The reporter’s attempt to contact BMRCL Managing Director Sivasailam, who has interacted with him several times earlier in person, brought out a brusque brush-off: “I do not reply to people whose numbers are not stored on my phone and I don’t know them personally. Please write to us and our public relations office will reply.”
Attempts at contacting BMRCL spokesperson proved futile. Sivasailam had, during the launch of the smart card by SBI in the first week of July said in a public function: “We are through with everything, we have completed all the work.”
However, Deccan Herald had found that his statement was inaccurate and that the stations were, indeed, not complete. Even the official newsletter brought out by BMRCL had information contrary to Sivasailam’s statement.
When Deccan Herald brought the matter to the notice of Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, he fumed: “This is the first time I’m hearing it. I will take up the matter first thing tomorrow (Monday) afternoon with the MD and get back to you.”
M N Sreehari, Adviser to the Government of Karnataka on Traffic, Transport and Infrastructure, said: “This is a mockery of democracy. You should take this up with the chief minister. This is not somebody’s private property. The person who passed the order must be relieved from duty.”