For safe passage commuters demand underpass facility

BENGALURU: After repeated requests, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) has decided to construct pedestrian subway at two stations but has left out at least six stations which also need similar infrastructure interventions.

Metro stations in Dasarahalli and Nagasandra, which are at the far end of Green Line on the northern side, will get underpass facilities across National Highway-4 (NH-4).This will help commuters access the stations easily , without having to cross the road and invite the risk of an accident.

Last week, the BMRCL invited bids for the construction of subways at these two places, with the estimated cost of `11 crore. The contractor will get 18 months to complete the work from the date of opening the tender, which is December 4.

It's the second such attempt.Earlier in 2015, the BMRCL had invited bids for the construction of subways near three stations. This time, however, the corporation has dropped the Jalahalli station.

POOR ACCESS
Station access is a factor Namma Metro has not paid much attention to at Peenya, Peenya Industry, Jalahalli and Mantri Square on Green Line as well as Baiyappanahalli on Purple Line and at the Majestic interchange.

Of these, the stations on Green Line have come up on the busy Bengaluru-Tumakuru highway without an entryexit point on the other side of the road. In April this year, a teenager was killed on the spot after a speeding car hit her. R Roopa (16) was crossing the highway to reach the Nagasandra station.

Hundreds of commuters put their lives at risk to cross the busy Old Madras Road near the Baiyappanahalli station. The other option is to walk up to the nearest signal and cross the road, which is seldom followed. This is not an issue in other stations as Namma Metro has provided entranceexit facilities on both sides of the roads. Ashish Verma, associate professor (civil engineering) at the Indian Institute of Science, said the authorities must address this critical safety issue by providing a pedestrian signal or a crossing until the subway or foot-over-bridge is built.

“The absence of multiple entry points to stations could discourage many people (mainly seniors citizens, children and physically weak) from using Metro. This will also expose them to road accidents,“ the expert said.

Urban affairs expert Sanjeev Dyamannavar said several citizen groups have come together to pressure BMRCL to improve seamless integration (of bus terminals and railway station) and accessibility at Metro stations. “This should be incorporated at the planning stage and the information should be made public.“