Linking Metro with railways will change commuting
As the euphoria over the launch of Namma Metro begins to wear off, Bangaloreans are slowly realising the umpteen possibilities it would throw up in streamlining transport in the City. Linking the City’s existing railway network with the Metro is one such possibility.
A small but concrete step is already being taken in Baiyappanahalli. A foot overbridge is proposed to be built connecting the Baiyappanahalli railway station and the Namma Metro station to enable the train passengers to use the Metro to reach their destinations. At present, several trains, including Bangalore-Jolarpet Express, Bangalore-Dharmapuri Passenger, Bangalore-Marikuppam Passenger, Bangalore-Bangarpet Passenger, Bangalore- Arakkonam Passenger and Bangalore Cantonment-Bangarpet Passenger stop at the Baiyappanahalli railway station.
As of now, passengers, who arrive at the Baiyappanahalli station in trains, must walk up an old path and cross a bridge to reach the Metro station. Once the proposed foot overbridge becomes operational, it would help the passengers enormously.
According to Bangalore Divisional Railway Manager Sudhanshu Mani, there is also a proposal before the Railway Board demanding more stops at the Baiyappanahalli station for at least four trains. “Now that the Metro has started its service, we plan to pursue this seriously,” he said.
Baiyappanahalli railway station master Nedumaran is already upbeat about the proposed foot overbridge linking the two stations. “It will be very useful for passengers coming from other cities to Bangalore,” he said. According to him, people using the Metro will reduce the road traffic tremendously besides bringing down the pollution levels. There should also be more connecting trains stopping at Baiyappanahalli station, he said. At the moment many trains stop at the K R Puram station. The passengers who arrive there, have to take an auto to Baiyappanahalli Metro station and use the Metro to travel to Indiranagar, Halasur and MG Road.
Stops for more trains at Baiyappanahalli station and a connecting footbridge would encourage passengers to use the Metro, said KR Puram ticket master S Purushothaman.
Umesh Kumar, who was waiting with his friend at KR Puram station, agreed that the proposed footbridge would be of great help to passengers. Another traveller J Harry Gonsalves said: “Every day, a lot of people travel towards that side, that’s why it’s a very good idea.”
