Bengaluru: In an attempt to draw the attention of the government and to raise awareness about the benefits of a suburban train network, Citizens for Bengaluru, the collective that led the Steel Flyover Beda agitation, on Thursday urged Bengalureans to join the rail yatra from Cantonment to Whitefield on Saturday at 9 am. The demand for the local train has been pending for at least three decades.
Addressing reporters, Prakash Belawadi, member of CfB said, “Bengaluru is highly polluted and unless we act now we will lose our city. Traffic is our biggest concern and mass public transport has to be the top priority and not flyovers. We request the presence of all city legislators, MLAs, MPs, Corporators to join us in the rail yatra.”
CfB member Srinivas Alavilli said, “In the past 10 days we reached out to thousands of students, employees, construction workers, fruit and vegetable traders, various civic groups, organised freeze mobs across the city to create awareness about local train and asked them to take a short survey. As per the survey over 95 per cent of Bengalureans believe the city badly needs local trains and they will use it if it is available. Ninety per cent believe that lack of political will is the main reason why the city doesn't have a suburban rail service.” We are grateful that so many organisations have lent their support this campaign, said Tara Krishnaswamy, member of CfB. Citizens from across the city, Whitefield Rising, and other oraganisations will express solidarity for the yatra.
Yatra schedule
The CfB event, supported by musician Raghu Dixit, calls for public to reach the Cantonment station at 9 am, Bangalore East (9.10 am), Byappanahalli (9.15 am), K.R. Puram (9.20 am), Hoodi (9.30 am) and Whitefield (10 am). Yatra members will board the Bangarpet passenger.
