BBMP Commissioner says the aim is to help improve last-mile connectivity

There is some relief in sight for the nearly four lakh Namma Metro commuters who have had to deal with uneven and narrow footpaths outside stations. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has floated tenders for development of footpaths and providing non-motorised transit in a number of places connecting metro stations.

The work, which will be taken up in nine different metro station zones, and along IT parks and industrial hubs, has been estimated to cost ₹81.2 crore. The funds will come from the Nagarothana Scheme.

According to highly-placed sources in the BBMP, with the footpaths near metro stations not being conducive to free pedestrian movement, last-mile connectivity is still a big issue that civic agencies have to tackle collectively. It was found that nearly 50% of the trips in Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) were for a distance of less than two kilometres.

“If pedestrian facilities are improved around metro stations, such as providing wide, obstruction-free footpaths, we will be encouraging pedestrianisation and promoting public transport,” sources said.

Urban mobility expert Pawan Mulukutla welcomed the move. He said footpaths should be at least 2.5 to 3 metres wide. “With no space to walk, metro commuters struggle to reach their destinations. With the city's salubrious climate, people will be ready to walk, but only when provided with good pedestrian infrastructure,” he said and added that footpath development should be done in a 1.5-km radius around metro stations, either connecting it to neighbourhoods or commercial localities.

BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad said last-mile connectivity was the objective of the project. Once the tenders are finalised, the work would be completed within six months, he added.