Beggar menace stalks metro stations

NT Correspondent

The city’s beggar menace is now gradually spilling over to its metro stations and authorities have so far done little to make life easier for daily commuters. The premises of a majority of Metro stations in the city have been occupied by the homeless and alms-seekers.

The problem is acute at the exit point of the city’s oldest metro terminus, Byappanahalli Metro station. Beggars (homeless people demanding money) can be seen approaching the commuters for money and food. After completing their journey, the commuters are greeted by a horde of beggars.

“ I t is really frustrating to see these people standing at the stairs of Metro station every evening. It seems Metro stations have become the new temples of Bengaluru in this regard. We are confused to call them beggars because they are demanding money for the same reason for one month. Cases of pick pocketing and stealing will surely increase if the problem is not addressed. Also it is a main station and commuters flow will be high,” says Sandeep, student of Law College who commutes from Byappana - halli to Kengeri.

The commuters complain that Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) has so far displayed a cavalier attitude towards this problem. In most of the stations security staff remain mute spectators, watching these beggars enter metro stations.

“Each day, a new beggar is standing at the stairs. Sometimes, I feel like they are working on shifts. It’s an organised business. Unfortunately, nobody’s keeping a check. Firstly, the Metro should tighten security because we have seen that during weekends the number of passengers will be less and it is very dangerous for the women to pass by the beggars. During peak hours, when there is a huge rush, there is a real danger of people tripping over each other, as these beggars block the way. They also deliberately irritate you till you part with cash,” said Lakshmi, a commuter.

According to the reports, a group of seven beggars have been regulars at Byappanahalli metro station for the past one month and they claim they are collecting money to go back to their hometowns.

In the initial days some commuters helped them with money, but they continue to demand money by providing the same excuse. When contacted, BMRCL Managing Director Anjum Parvez said the issue has come to his notice and he has instructed the official to act immediately. It will be solved soon, he assured. BMRCL officials pointed out that the problem is nearly absent at other metro stations, and Byappanahalli too will be cleared of alms seekers.