Citizen groups have opposed the construction of a skywalk being built on Sankey Road to cross from Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium to National Military Memorial Park.
Notwithstanding the opposition, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) claims the skywalk is needed. Vasanathnagar Residents’ Welfare Association (VRWA) says that skywalk will not serve anyone. The association is not just sceptical about the skywalk but also the elevator facility to be installed by a private agency.
General secretary for VRWA, Raj Kumar Dugar said: “The elevator on KG Road, between Corporation and Mysore Bank, often does not work and at a few other skywalks, staff deployed to handle the lifts are not present.’’
The association members also pointed that a subway built by the Palike in the vicinity remains unused and 200 metres away, the skywalk at Sophia School is always deserted.
Dugar questioned the rationale behind the skywalk where hardly 10 people cross the road daily to reach National Military Memorial Park. “It will remain useless,’’ he said.
BBMP Executive Engineer (Road Infrastructure - Special division), B Prabhakar told DH that a few brigadiers wanted a skywalk at the memorial park. “For any project, there will be brickbats and bouquets. We are not going to face any loss with this project as the private firm, Pioneer Publicity Corporation Private Limited, with whom we have tied up will be bearing the entire construction cost.”
The skywalk construction began a few days ago with pillars being erected on both sides. The skywalk is expected to be ready in the next three months, according to the Palike. The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 1. 5 crore, said BBMP sources.
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