With just one entry, Whitefield station a 'nightmare'

Getting to Whitefield railway station is a nightmare for commuters as there is only one entrance on the northern side. Commuters heading from the south should choose between climbing the boundary wall or cross the railway tracks to reach the main entrance in the north.

The railway station, which sees approximately 30 local and express trains a day, is used by thousands every day. The foot overbridge is not only narrow but has no access to the northern side of the platform, forcing commuters coming from the southern side to walk two kilometres on the road around the station to reach the entrance in the north and then the platform.

Kamalamma, a commuter who travels from Kolar to Whitefield for work said, “The foot overbridge doesn’t serve any purpose as the direct path to the platform in the north is blocked. Even if we take the foot overbridge or cross the railway tracks, we need to walk two kilometres to reach the entrance in the north,” she said. “This has forced us to climb walls. I have done that wearing a sari many times,” adds a helpless Kamalamma.

Sampreeth Mathew, a regular commuter to Majestic said the Kadugodi bus stand on the southern side has no access to the station. “If there was a connectivity to the station, then it would have prevented people from climbing walls and crossing railway tracks,” he said.

Sandeep Anirudhan, an activist and resident of Whitefield urged authorities to link the bus stand with the railway station. “There is plenty of space opposite to the south side where a new bus stand can be built. It is pathetic to see old people climbing stairs. Sometimes, they even collapse. There are no lifts or elevators for the handicapped too,” he said.

Sridharamurthy N S, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Bangalore Division, South Western Railway (SWR) said the safety of people has always been the concern for the railways. “We have warned people not to climb walls and walk on the tracks several times. We blocked the way only to prevent people from walking on the tracks but they are continuing to do it,” he said.

“The railway station was built during the British era and it is not possible to shift it nor take immediate action. We will find solutions to it in a year,” he added.