[sustran] Hiding tracks Metro shuts doors on media to shun scrutiny

[Vinay Baindur]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/183826/metro-shuts-doors-media-shun.html

Hiding tracksMetro shuts doors on media to shun scrutinyChethan Kumar,
Bangalore, August 14, DHNS:
*In a move that appears to be designed to evade reality checks on the
progress made at the six stations on Namma Metro's reach-1 (Byappanahalli-MG
Road), the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has now put up a
notice board outside the stations that reads: ''Press and Photography Not
Allowed.''*

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.”