BMTC readies to rebuild bus stand; experts find plan 'flawed'

'Kalasipalyam terminal can be merged with KR Market bus station'

The BMTC is keen to go ahead with its project to rebuild the Kalasipalyam bus stand, which is in a pathetic condition, but experts say the construction plan is ill-designed.

Heeding to the long-pending demand to develop the bus stand, the government has decided to redesign it with better facilities. No less than three lakh passengers travel from this bus stand to various places by BMTC, KSRTC and private buses every day.

Necessary procedures and approvals are over and BMTC has also issued a circular to officials concerned at the bus terminal to make alternative arrangements for the smooth running of buses as construction work will begin soon.

The bus terminal would come up on 4.29 acres. The plan is to have five bays to accommodate 18 BMTC buses, three bays to accommodate 14 KSRTC buses and those of other states.

However, civil engineering experts who have gone through the blueprint say that it is poorly prepared as space is underutilised. They suggest that Kalasipalyam and the neighbouring KR Market bus stations should be merged into a single station for the convenience of commuters.

BMTC and KSRTC buses will ferry passengers from here to places such as Hosur, Bannerghatta, Magadi, Sarjapur, Kengeri and Kanakapura. As many as 1,264 BMTC and 211 KSRTC are operated from here daily.

If the terminal was planned well, it could have accommodated buses of KR Market also. Presently, passengers have to walk to Kalasipalyam bus stand to get buses after alighting from buses at KR Market. Buses from KR Market go to places such as Whitefield, Hoodi, HAL, Varthur, Hoskote and Nelamangala.

The plight of passengers who get down in the Kalasipalyam bus stand is no different, as they have to walk to the KR Market terminal to get buses. If the blueprint of the new bus terminal was planned properly, these difficulties could have been avoided, experts told Deccan Herald.

The plan has limited the idle parking space only for 10 buses and auto stand is planned quite far from the platforms which will cause inconveniences for the passengers to reach the buses with their luggage.

T G Sitharam, ex-chairman of Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP), Indian Institute of Science, pointed out that the designers have not studied the entire area well and so the plan is not complete.

Underpasses and skywalks for entry and exit of passengers from the terminal have not been included and option can be explored for a paid parking facility. A thorough discussion among different stakeholders can lead to better planning, Sitharam said.