Less faith in metro, BMRC to rent space to startups

The startup capital of India, Bengaluru, popularly known as Silicon Valley might provide a place for startups at the metro stations.

Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC), after it was clueless on how to utilise the extra space at the metro stations might float tenders inviting start-ups to take a place at stations.

Bengaluru’s metro rail network is still not constructed, has recently opened a 4.8-kilometre underground stretch.  

BMRC, in an official statement said: "Some of the stations have ample spaces that can be allowed to given to start-ups for commercial activities. Earlier, they wouldn’t have got good rentals because of insufficient footfall but now investors or mentors of these start-ups are keener about it. This is for a purely commercial purpose wherein the investors are examining the feasibility of their projects and are the decision makers of whether to go ahead with or not."

However, taking this step clearly shows the faithlessness of BMRC or a complete misjudgement of the footfall of commuters. Once the metro rail network starts completely, having private work places at the stations might create inconvenience due to the lesser space.