The Namma Metro is on a beautification drive. After boulevard along the Mahatma Gandhi Road Metro Rail station was completed, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation is taking its efforts to the next level. BMRCL officials will now work on beautifying medians along the Metro Rail corridor. The work is already under progress along MG Road and are planting bougainvillea along the corridor. Mr. Vasanth Kumar, General Manger (Finance), BMRCL, told Deccan Chronicle: “We have decided to have a bougainvillea theme all along the medians at the 40 stations. In the country, there are 40 varieties of bougainvillea. The plant requires lesser amount of water and will continue to bear flowers even after a 100 years.”
The BMRCL has spent approximately `1 crore on the beautification drive. “At least 150 saplings will be planted at each median stretch. We are closely working with the Nurserymen Cooperative Society for developing and maintaining the medians. A lot of cooperative companies are coming forward to take up the maintenance of the medians. We have spent approximately `1 crore so far,” Mr Kumar said. The BMRCL will start the work in other areas soon, going along the medians from Ulsoor to Indiranagar. “Bengaluru, the Garden City, has lost its charm due to rapid urbanisation. We want to restore the Garden City tag and give back to Bengaluru what we have taken from them during the construction of Metro Rail. Soon, all the 40 stations will be colorful with beautiful bougainvillea flowers,” added Mr. Kumar.
The BMRCL has already completed its rainwater harvesting project on Reach 1 between the Bayapanahalli and Mahatma Gandhi Road stations.