Bangalore Metro can be passenger friendly

A FKCCI executive suggests ways to make the Metro service passenger friendly and improve city infrastructure overall.

Bangalore is projected as an emerging “City of Opportunities”. It is the most favoured destination, not only in India, but also globally. Unfortunately, there is minimal co-ordination between interconnected government departments and delays in commencement and execution of most infrastructure projects.

Recently, the Federation Of Karnataka Chambers Of Commerce and Industry had invited N. Sivasailam, MD, BMRCL, to address its members. Based on various observations, I have the following suggestions to make the Bangalore Metro passenger friendly and improve overall city infrastructure:

1. Asphalting of roads a few roads below the underpasses of Namma Metro across the city need asphalting. We want the BMRCL to take this issue with concerned authorities so that immediate repair is done.

2. Opening of temporary depots on Reach IV, namely, the Puttenhalli to National College (Basavangudi) stretch and on Reach IVA, approximately 9 km is almost ready (except for the stations). The underground corridor work at KR Market is yet to begin as there is no depot along the corridor to station the trains. We request the construction of a temporary depot to start the metro train operation when the entire construction work is over. Many educational institutions i.e., schools, colleges and commercial hubs like Banashankari, Jayanagar and Basavangudi and Gandhi Bazar are situated here. Metro service will be helpful to residents of south Bangalore and also increase ridership.

3. Metro airport link – we strongly recommend the state and central government to extend Namma Metro corridor from Gottigere (IIM) to Nagavara and up to Bangalore International Airport under Phase 2. This will help people reach faster and will be the best option in terms of total cost and provide a single mode of mass transport which will connect to the airport.

4. Common Ticketing – we strongly believe that issuing common ticket for Namma Metro and BMTC will help people and reduce queues. This system will increase ridership of Namma Metro. The BMRCL and state government should take immediate steps in this direction.

5. Integration of Namma Metro at Bayappanahalli and Yeshwantpur railway station
Construction of foot over bridge between Baiypannahalli railway station and metro station of Baiypannahalli is required. A subway or foot over bridge for passengers to interchange between services will help passengers have easy and safe movement.

6. IT Hub Connectivity – Phase 2 would provide much demanded connectivity to IT hub of city because phase 1 was mainly focused on and aligned with central business district (CBD) of Bangalore.

Construction work is causing congestion along the corridors. Therefore BMRCL should sort out all issues causing such delays so that the city can have full fledged metro network at the earliest. This will help in completing the project on time and avoid cost and time overrun.

Comments:

  1. NATARAJA K says:

    BMTC could hire Mini Buses for Metro Metro feeder service.

  2. NATARAJA K says:

    BMTC could hire Mini Buses for Metro Metro feeder service.

  3. NATARAJA K says:

    Vidyaranyapura Lake also needs to be taken up for restoration.The lake used to be full earlier with sufficient inflow. But local bodies do not appear to be interested in restoring the lake.

  4. NATARAJA K says:

    There is a need to straighten &widen the road the road at Doddabommasandra to avoid trafic jam

  5. Vasanthkumar Mysoremath says:

    Feeder services to metro by BMTC can help people to stop usage of their own vehicles even to reach the Metro Stations.

    Two suggestions to BMTC – (1) to make it convenient for women commuters to have safe/secure journey (2) Men for hassle free journey:
    (1) Women being subjected to harassement in jampacked buses can be avoided by bifurcating the BMTC buses with steel barricade/partition near the middle-entrance so that they can get in and get out from the front door. Partition should be of minute grill work with a small door – only for the conductor to move for issue of tickets. No entry for men.
    (2) In trains and mofussil buses, we see thousands of people travelling standing for hours together. In cities, the duration of commuting is relatively short and we commute with the sole purpose of reaching some place and getting back on time. So, let us have more buses without seats that occupy majority of space to be used by a minority of people. We can have more buses with standing facility with enough hangers that are sturdy and are aplenty, like in the Metro. A few seats may be provided only for senior citizens / disabled people. This way, more people may travel in one bus, more revenue to BMTC and if e.ticketing / smart card facility is introduced,it may help commuting faster.

  6. BengaluruBudhi says:

    ‘@V Mysoremath
    Great suggestions. Suggest Volvos be driven by women only as they are power assisted and be reserved for women only .
    @man dot h
    Why the obsession with the airport Connectivity?
    Why don’t kcci talk to their govt? After all they seem to have an incestuous relationship. They can spend some CSR money on repair of roads and building temp station s.
    BMTC is a ripoff , let the Metro function free of interference from local . The high fares on the metro are evidence of local business interests.
    Isn’t it the responsible of local to create ALT route

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