<p>The state government’s approval to a proposal to construct a 20.5-km metro line to connect Hosur in Tamil Nadu has evoked strong reactions. </p>.<p>Urban mobility activists have urged the governments and leaders to focus on suburban rail instead, by quadrupling the existing railway line till Attibele.</p>.<p><em><span class="italic">DH</span> </em>on Thursday reported about the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) informing the union ministry of housing and urban affairs on May 5, about CM Basavaraj Bommai giving in-principle approval to a proposal by Krishnagiri MP Dr A Chellakumar, to connect Hosur with the Metro phase 2 line, which terminates at Bommasandra.</p>.<p>Arguments have come forth for and against the proposal on social media, with many passionately arguing that Karnataka’s decision was wrong, while a small number of users defended the decision, saying it will be a win-win situation for both the states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.</p>.<p>A majority of the responses that slammed the approval argued that the government should look at providing connectivity within Bengaluru first, noting the delays in completion of Namma Metro Phase 2 and other proposed lines.</p>.<p>Partha, a Twitter user, questioned Bommai’s “tearing hurry”.</p>.<p>“What is the tearing hurry to build a Metro to Hosur, when Bengaluru Metro is still not complete? Where is the airport metro? Please don’t waste Karnataka’s resources on something which is not a priority now,” he said.</p>.<p>Many pointed out that extending the suburban rail was a better idea.</p>.<p>Vivek Kalkur, another user, noted that alignment of metro and suburban rail were different.</p>.<p>“Metro caters to the massive developments that have happened along NH-44, while suburban rail connects interior locations on either side of the highway,” he said.</p>.<p>Urban mobility activist Sanjeev Dyamannavar said prioritising metro connectivity to Hosur may not be viable at present.</p>.<p>“The best way to connect Hosur is to quadruple the line to Chandapura and run suburban trains at a good frequency. It’s also cost effective compared with capital- intensive metro projects. If there is a need for a metro line in future, it can be taken up then,” he said.</p>.<p>Karnataka Railway Vedike’s Lokesh T P said people should oppose the metro proposal.</p>.<p>“Instead of utilising the existing resources like the railway line, the government will end up investing thousands of crores to empower land and real estate mafia. It’s yet another contractor-driven project. We need more local trains on the route,” he added.</p>.<p>Dyamannavar noted that political leaders have repeatedly made statements on connecting far away places with the metro.</p>.<p>“For long distance connectivity like Bengaluru-Hosur, metro is not a viable mode. Considering that metro coaches have only 30% seating capacity, one may have to stand more than an hour to reach Bengaluru from Hosur. Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu can learn something from the Delhi-Mathura rapid railway transit system,” he said. </p>
<p>The state government’s approval to a proposal to construct a 20.5-km metro line to connect Hosur in Tamil Nadu has evoked strong reactions. </p>.<p>Urban mobility activists have urged the governments and leaders to focus on suburban rail instead, by quadrupling the existing railway line till Attibele.</p>.<p><em><span class="italic">DH</span> </em>on Thursday reported about the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) informing the union ministry of housing and urban affairs on May 5, about CM Basavaraj Bommai giving in-principle approval to a proposal by Krishnagiri MP Dr A Chellakumar, to connect Hosur with the Metro phase 2 line, which terminates at Bommasandra.</p>.<p>Arguments have come forth for and against the proposal on social media, with many passionately arguing that Karnataka’s decision was wrong, while a small number of users defended the decision, saying it will be a win-win situation for both the states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.</p>.<p>A majority of the responses that slammed the approval argued that the government should look at providing connectivity within Bengaluru first, noting the delays in completion of Namma Metro Phase 2 and other proposed lines.</p>.<p>Partha, a Twitter user, questioned Bommai’s “tearing hurry”.</p>.<p>“What is the tearing hurry to build a Metro to Hosur, when Bengaluru Metro is still not complete? Where is the airport metro? Please don’t waste Karnataka’s resources on something which is not a priority now,” he said.</p>.<p>Many pointed out that extending the suburban rail was a better idea.</p>.<p>Vivek Kalkur, another user, noted that alignment of metro and suburban rail were different.</p>.<p>“Metro caters to the massive developments that have happened along NH-44, while suburban rail connects interior locations on either side of the highway,” he said.</p>.<p>Urban mobility activist Sanjeev Dyamannavar said prioritising metro connectivity to Hosur may not be viable at present.</p>.<p>“The best way to connect Hosur is to quadruple the line to Chandapura and run suburban trains at a good frequency. It’s also cost effective compared with capital- intensive metro projects. If there is a need for a metro line in future, it can be taken up then,” he said.</p>.<p>Karnataka Railway Vedike’s Lokesh T P said people should oppose the metro proposal.</p>.<p>“Instead of utilising the existing resources like the railway line, the government will end up investing thousands of crores to empower land and real estate mafia. It’s yet another contractor-driven project. We need more local trains on the route,” he added.</p>.<p>Dyamannavar noted that political leaders have repeatedly made statements on connecting far away places with the metro.</p>.<p>“For long distance connectivity like Bengaluru-Hosur, metro is not a viable mode. Considering that metro coaches have only 30% seating capacity, one may have to stand more than an hour to reach Bengaluru from Hosur. Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu can learn something from the Delhi-Mathura rapid railway transit system,” he said. </p>