Skywalk to link metro, rail stations at Yeshwantpur

Shuffling between Yeshwantpur metro and railway stations will not be a hassle in the coming days as work is set to begin on a skywalk to connect the existing foot overbridge (FOB) of the railway station with a skywalk from the metro station.

Much to the relief of thousands of passengers, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is finalising details of the skywalk that will connect the existing FOB of the platform number 6 of the railway station.

BMRCL Managing Director Ajay Seth on Friday held a meeting with officials of the South Western Railway’s Bengaluru division to get clearance for the project. “The divisional railway manager has extended support to the project. The railways has allowed us to construct the bridge,” he said.

SWR officials said they had received a detailed proposal but sought changes in the design of the FOB to ensure the project will not come in conflict with their station development programme. Works have already begun to build a structure to provide canopy at the entrance of the station towards Tumakuru Road.

Disputed land

A stretch of disputed land between metro and railway stations has forced officials to adopt a cautious approach. “There has been no stay from the court. But I have told our officials to cross-check the same. We have already deposited the amount in court, which will be given to the owner as decided by the court,” the managing director said.

About 10,000 passengers, most of them with heavy luggage, change between railway and metro stations at Yeshwantpur every day. Without a dedicated path, the walk on the 50-metre stretch between the stations is painful due to the barriers of the taxi lanes cutting across the way.

The single FOB allowing direct connection is set to cost between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore. Seth, however, said passenger convenience, not the cost of the project, was more important. “The cost is not significant. The skywalk will benefit thousands of people,” he added.

The BMRCL had proposed the project back in 2016 but the railways had sought 7.47 crore for leasing the land for 35 years as well as maintenance and supervision of the bridge. In June 2018, BMRCL officials visited the spot after a DH report highlighted the lack of easy and safe access to the stations.