Cox Town and Cooke Town are two localities separated by a railway track. The distance between them is hardly 100 mtrs. Yet residents of the two localities are forced to travel almost a kilometer to reach the area next door.

K P Abraham, a Cooke Town resident went on a two-wheeler to meet his friend in Cox Town. Midway, while crossing the underpass connecting Cox Town and Cooke Town, he realised he had left behind the helmet. To return to his residence he had to go all the way to Mosque Road junction and cross the over-bridge near Clarence School and turn left to reach Cooke Town. Abraham, who is the president of the Residents' Welfare Association Bangalore East (REWABE),  says, “Both localities have been separated like two countries when the construction of the flyover connecting Wheeler Road and Banaswadi main road began.”

Earlier vehicles on Wheeler Road had to pass through the level-crossing to reach Pottery Road and then Banaswadi main road. The level crossing was closed for nearly 40 times a day, making motorists wait for a long time.

After many protests BBMP and South Western Railways jointly took up construction of the flyover and the railway crossing was closed. Motorists from both the localities had to travel a long road to reach the neighbouring area.
The flyover is likely to benefit motorists, but not pedestrians, feels Abraham. Residents of Cooke Town are dependent on Cox Town for many things. Hundreds of school children of Cooke Town walk down to Cox Town every day. Cox Town also houses a market, BBMP revenue office and three schools.

Without the level crossing, people cross the railway track to reach their destination. But once the flyover is completed, entrance on either side of the track will be closed for pedestrians. Residents have been demanding a pedestrian subway under the railway track, connecting Grover Road and the bus stop on Pottery Road.