JOIN USVolunteers required to assist traffic
An increasing number of people are using Bangalore Metro. However, one finds that at the Metro stations, many passengers are clueless about which way to go once they get down.
Adding to that is the traffic on the road which makes them jittery about going further towards their destination. Hence, it is necessary for the BMRCL to deploy volunteers who can help commuters coming out of the stations cross the road safely and easily.
Volunteers can often be spotted outside the MG Road Metro Station and one hopes that things will be smoother when the work on the entry from Church Street side is completed. However, there are hardly any helpers or guards to assist commuters in front of the other stations like Indiranagar, Byappanahalli, Trinity and Ulsoor.
The BMRCL has started work on a foot overbridge at the Byappanahalli Metro Station and officials state that a structure like this cannot be constructed at the other stations for now.
An official with the BMRCL says that they will make foot overbridges in the Metro stations that are still under construction if required.
Commuters say that there is a lot of traffic in front of the Ulsoor and Trinity Metro Stations and volunteers are a must at these places.
“We can spot traffic volunteers helping commuters outside the MG Road Metro Station as it is the busiest station. Though a considerable amount of people take the Metro from Indiranagar as well, there is no one to help them out. Since there are entrances on both sides of the Indiranagar Station, a zebra crossing in front of the station will be very beneficial,”says Chandana, a professional.
Byappanahalli is also a busy station and crossing the road to go to the station can be quite risky as motorists can often be seen speeding here. Commuters say that the nearest signal is about a kilometre away. Hence, crossing over is an ordeal.
“I have to wait for almost ten minutes to cross near the Byappanahalli Metro Station as that stretch is very dangerous. There is no one to help out and traffic volunteers can help people cross safely till the foot overbridge for commuters comes up. Evenings are worse as the traffic flow is high and commuters have
to wait till it clears up to go to the station,” says Janaki Kumaran, who travels by the Metro.
Many commuters say that the volunteers outside the MG Road Metro Station are often missing during the afternoons and weekends.
They feel that volunteers are required near the Trinity Metro Station as well.
“Though there are entry as well as exit points on both sides of the Trinity Metro
Station, many people cross over at the signal as it is convenient for them. Having a volunteer will be beneficial as the traffic on that stretch is really heavy,” sums up Magesh, a commuter.