Majestic bridge ready, but not open for commuters

Though crores of rupees have been spent for connecting the railway and bus stations with the Metro in Majestic, the idea of multimodal transport has been lost in a bureaucratic nightmare. Nearly three months since the bridge connecting the Kempegowda Metro Station with Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus station was completed, but it remains closed to the public as it waits for a formal inauguration.

“All the works were completed about three months ago. Even lighting has been provided for the convenience of the commuters. But it has been closed to the public till inauguration,” a source said.

Though the bridge was built by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), officials are keen that Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and BMTC also join them for its inauguration.

“The bridge is a small work. There is confusion over whether or not to rope in ministers and local MLAs for the inauguration,” another source said.

The bridge will help commuters switch between the bus depot and the metro station without crossing the busy road separating them.

While KSRTC Managing Director Umashankar said that the matter needs to be decided by BMRCL Managing Director, efforts to meet him (Ajay Seth) on three different days over last two weeks failed. Sources in the BMTC said they have told BMRCL to go ahead and inaugurate the bridge instead of waiting for formalities.

Meanwhile, the delay has angered the commuters who have to dodge buses and private vehicles to cross the busy road. “It takes at least 10 minutes to cross the road in the peak hours. It is also quite risky as buses are usually speeding on both the lanes. Officials should worry about people’s lives rather than formalities of the inauguration,” said Kantaraj N G, a commuter.

The BMRCL has spent around Rs 2 crores to construct two bridges, one connecting BMTC with the metro station and the other connecting the railway station. However, the bridge to the railway station is yet to be completed.

Bridge to railway station delayed

Railway officials said work on a foot-over-bridge between the City Railway Metro station and Platform 10 of KSR Railway station has been further delayed by about two months.

“BMRCL had to release more than Rs 35 lakh for completion of the last leg of the work. However, there was a delay of two months, during which the contractor refused to work without payments. It may take about two more months to open the bridge,” a senior official said.