Pedestrians shun unscientific skywalks on Tumkur Road

The access controlled expressway between Goraguntepalya to Nelamangala along Tumkur Road might be vehicle users’ manna from heaven.

However, for pedestrians and residents located along the stretch, crossing the road has become a nightmare.

Many claim that skywalks installed at several points along the stretch are unscientific and not user-friendly. They also say they are out of reach with many crossing the road by jumping over road dividers risking their lives as vehicles speed past. 

Pavan Vasist, resident of Madavara, close to Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) at NICE Road-Tumkur Road junction, said the skywalk located at this point is high that hardly any pedestrian prefers it. 

“As it is not user-friendly, people jump dividers to reach the other side. Whenever exhibitions are held at BIEC, thousands of people visit the venue. Those who come by bus tend to jump the corridor as they feel they can save time,” he claimed.

Skywalks at other points along Tumkur Road, namely at Widia Factory, Dhanojipalya and Makali are under question for unscientific designs. The busy Tumkur Road had come to a standstill for hours in August 2010 when a 60-year-old was mowed down by a speeding vehicle in front of Widia factory in Peenya. He was crossing the road to buy vegetables when the accident occurred.

Residents say that though the number of accidents have come down after the access controlled expressway, the problems with skywalks may trigger a new round of problems along the stretch.