Title - Metro work stresses out doctors, patients

The ‘silent zone’ near Vani Vilas and Victoria Hospital on K.R. Road has turned into a hub of intense activity with the construction of Namma Metro on in full swing. The construction works have increased air and noise pollution in the area and affected the patients and doctors. Patients have been complaining of high blood pressure and hypertension as is a continuous drone from the construction site nearby.Dr R. Premlatha, Professor of Paediatrics at Vani Vilas Hospital, said: “We are facing a lot of problems because of the Metro work near the hospital. A lot dust of from the site has been causing inconvenience to patients and their attendants. Patients have not been getting proper sleep because of the constant sound from the spot. Many of them are developing stress-related complications, like high BP and hypertension. We cannot teach our students, as there has been a continuous disturbance throughout the day.”Doctors also complained that ambulances get stuck in traffic jams and lose crucial moments before reaching critical patients to the hospital. The ongoing metro work has created several traffic bottlenecks around the hospital, affecting the movement of patients. “Ambulances have to go around in circles before reaching the hospital gates. In some cases, ambulances have been stuck for over half-an-hour. How do you deal with such a situation,” she asked.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) is constructing an underground station on KR Road and the work has been going on for the past six months. It is learnt that heads of department from these hospitals approached BMRCL for intervention. “During the night, the work stops and it is peaceful. But the work keeps going on from morning till evening. BMRCL should come up with a solution to ensure that the surroundings of the hospital are kept quiet,” said a doctor from Victoria Hospital.