In the absence of such links, passengers are forced to evade vehicles and buses on the busy roads in Majestic

Criss-crossing dangerously between buses and private vehicles to reach their destinations, commuters of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have eagerly been awaiting for their saviour: two foot overbridges (FOBs).

One is supposed to link the City Railway Metro Station and Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna City Railways Station while the other will link the metro underground metro station (facing Danvantari Road) with the BMTC and KSRTC bus stands.

The first one will help hundreds of passengers, who use Namma Metro, to reach the railway station. At present, they are forced to walk on a narrow path to reach the railway station.

Problem in payment

It has been over two years since they were promised, but the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) and the South Western Railways (SWR) are yet to complete the FOB.

The BMRCL claims that work is near completion while the SWR is yet to complete its share of the work of linking the FOB with the platforms. The metro station has been operational since April 2016.

Divisional Railway Manager R. Saxena said, “The BMRCL delayed payment of money for the project. A total of ₹90 lakh was pending. In January, we received partial payment of ₹51 lakh. Despite receiving partial payment, we will complete the project by June.”

A good number of passengers also use the Majestic intersection station instead of the City Railway Metro Station to reach Sangolli Rayanna City Railway Station. The BMRCL recently opened a walkway linking the subway connecting the railway station. However, the subway is of little use to passengers, as it has been encroached by hawkers.

BMTC, KSRTC FOB

The underconstruction FOB linking BMTC and KSRTC bus stands with the metro entry point (facing Danvanthari Road) is likely to opened by the month-end. The BMRCL is giving a facelift to the KSRTC FOB, extending it till the entry point of the metro station.

“By end of April, all the works will be completed,” said a worker at the site.

This FOB will help people coming from Danvanthari Road side to access the metro station. If this FOB is opened, the city bus passengers will use it in large numbers as the access point to the metro station is easier compared to other entry points. At present, bus passengers are risking their lives by crossing the busy road to access the recently opened walkway or walking all the way till the metro entry point facing Gubbi Thotadappa Road.