Namma Metro.
Credit: DH File Photo
Bengaluru: The Urban Development Department (UDD) has rejected Namma Metro’s proposal to widen three roads leading to the under-construction underground metro station at Bamboo Bazaar in Shivajinagar.
This puts the onus on the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to ensure proper accessibility, as the roads around the station, located in a densely populated area, are already very narrow.
In its proposal, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) had suggested widening AM Road, Dhanakoti Road and Bamboo Bazaar Road, which connect to the station. Among the three, AM Road was identified as a priority since the BMRCL plans to construct a foot overbridge (FOB) linking the metro station with the Cantonment railway station, located some distance away.
Namma Metro had sought Rs 41.36 crore to acquire land and widen the area around the Bamboo Bazaar station. However, during a recent high-powered committee meeting — where senior officials were present to expedite metro projects — BMRCL authorities informed that the UDD had declined to release the additional funds.
As a result, the BMRCL will be compelled to build the FOB on the existing narrow road without widening it. Given the limited width and huge traffic movement, metro officials insisted that road expansion is needed in the interest of both metro commuters and local traffic.
For now, the BMRCL plans to acquire land just outside the underground metro station without widening the entire lane.
As part of this proposal, metro officials have started land acquisition near Entry 'C' of the station to improve approaches from Bamboo Bazaar Road. They will also acquire another 218.674 sqm of land from the ESI building to widen Dhanakoti Road and 332.104 sqm from the Madeena Masjid premises.
While the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) will issue the notification for acquisition, officials admitted that this alone will not significantly ease local traffic congestion.