Whitefield stn stuck in time warp: residents

Whitefield houses some of the major IT companies but its railway station is stuck in a time warp.

Frustrated by inadequate facilities at the station, local residents petitioned Bangalore Central MP, P C Mohan, on Sunday. Representatives of several resident welfare associations (RWAs) from Kadugodi took part in the meeting. Mohan promised to raise the matter with the divisional railway manager, Bengaluru, on Monday.

Residents want a new platform on the southern side of the railway station adjoining the Kadugodi bus stand, MEMU train services every 15-30 minutes to Baiyappanahalli, Bengaluru Cantonment, Majestic and Yeshwantpur, and passenger facilities at the station.

Ashwin S, a regular commuter, summed up the ordeal faced by passengers every day. “Getting to the Whitefield railway station is a nightmare. There is just one entry on the northern side. Passengers coming from the south should either climb the boundary wall or cross the railway tracks to reach the main entrance in the north,” he said. “Just imagine the plight of women passengers wearing saris.”

This apart, residents urged Mohan to take steps to restore all lakes and stormwater drains in the Kadugodi ward. They suggested using traditional methods of water percolation, groundwater recharge and improving water security. They also requested removing encroachments from roads. The parliamentarian promised to help meet the demands.