Brigade Rd won’t be shut for Metro work

Traders got a scare yesterday when they were told cars wouldn't be allowed on the stretch for 10 days, but it turned out their fears were unfounded

Brigade Rd won't be shut for Metro work

Traders got a scare yesterday when they were told cars wouldn't be allowed on the stretch for 10 days, but it turned out their fears were unfounded

Shop owners got a bit of a scare last evening as word spread that Brigade Road would be closed to vehicles for 10 days.

Suhail Yusuff, secretary, Brigade Road Shops and Establishments Association, said, "We have a daily turnover of Rs 2 crore; business establishments will lose and so will the government."

But the fears were unfounded, as the police said they had no immediate plans of diverting traffic from the posh street.

Many shops in 5th Avenue have shut down because business is bad. "These days people are lazy. They don't want to walk. They get down from their cars and step into the shops," he said.

Loss of business

P S Harish, store manager, VIP Lounge, said, "Business will definitely come down by 80 per cent if the road is closed for cars. I don't understand why they have to block Brigade Road when work is being carried out on M G Road."

Mohammed Mubeen, assistant manager of the Rebook showroom, echoed Harish's sentiments.

Ashish Chande, a cafe and cake shop owner and a Brigade Road regular, said, "Any closure will be inconvenient for a few days. But the Metro should be done on time."

Ibrahim, scriptwriter for TV serials, said, "The public should cooperate when it comes to developmental works. After all, they will benefit tomorrow."

Sigh of relief

However, Praveen Sood, additional commissioner of police (traffic) laid all fears to rest.

"There is no question of blocking Brigade Road for any reason. It will be open to traffic and vehicles coming from Trinity Circle towards M G Road can take a left turn on Brigade road," he said.

He said the Mayo Hall junction slab has to be laid on the pillars first. Whenever there is a need to divert traffic, citizens would be informed well in advance, he assured MiD DAY.