The day after the euphoric inaugural of the Metro,joy riders gave way to office-goers who had figured out ways to make the most of this service
ITS PAYBACK TIME FOR NAMMA METRO
After having met the aspirations of Bangaloreans,the mass rapid transit system now has hundreds of accounts to settle.
Traders along CMH Road and MG Road whose business took a beating in the four years when the Metro was under construction are now pinning their hopes on it for the resurrection of their business.
The project brought down buildings and rendered thriving enterprises islands as all approach roads stood erased.Business nose-dived and several traders shut shop.
The traders though have maintained an account of their losses they say the project took away 60% of their business.They are now hoping that Metro will not only pull them out of the red but also help them make up for the losses.
Customers just stopped coming to M G Road because of bad roads.Though the business picked up after the construction was complete,the increase was marginal: 15-20 %.We renovated our showroom 20 days before the Metro launch,hoping to get back customers.We are keeping our fingers crossed, Narender Bohra,owner of The Raymonds Shop on M G Road,said.
Venkatesh R,manager of Sridevi Restaurant of CMH Road,said: Since 2006,our accumulated business losses have touched Rs 24 lakh.We could sustain because of our businesses in other areas.We were told that we will have better business once Metro starts.We are hopeful but at the same time skeptical.
For KFC joint on MG Road,it was celebration time on Thursday.On the day of Metro launch,we saw a 20% increase in our business.We hope this will continue, Karunkaran R,shift manager,KFC,said.But not all traders had something to rejoice about.
Our store did not have the expected rush.It is surprising, said an employee of Cafe Coffee Day next to the CMH Road station.But the traders admit that it is too early to come to a conclusion.On Thursday evening there was a rush,which is a good sign.Over the week we will have people coming in as there is no food or beverages available inside the station, said Aiman Singh,manager,Anand Bhavan on CMH Road.We have to wait for another week or 10 days.We are also looking at tying up with Metro to increase our sales, Clement Arockiaraj P,area manager,Jus Booster on MG Road,said.We are expecting an increase in footfalls in the coming months and will be preparing for it, said Brahm Swaroop,manager,McDonalds,CMH Road.
RENT COULD BE A SPOILER
A group of traders feels that the damage done to their business by Metro just cant be undone.My neighbouring shopkeepers closed down and left as there was no business.The Metro promises better business,but I dont think the rent is affordable.It has doubled, said Rasheed Z,a storeowner on CMH Road.
SAY METRO : A woman smiles as she prepares to board the Metro with her baby for the first time
AGE NO BAR: A group of employees from IT company HP makes time to experience the train ride;
(left)students at the station;(right) a senior citizen awaits her turn
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