Bengaluru's ‘most-modern’ rail terminal: High on looks, low on upkeep

Bengaluru: Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) Bengaluru Railway Station is the most modern railway facility in Karnataka, designed to alleviate congestion at the city’s older train stations and upgrade the overall railway infrastructure. 

Construction of the station began in 2014, but its opening was postponed due to design issues and the Covid-19 pandemic. It finally launched commercial operations on June 6, 2022. SMVT is Bengaluru’s first fully air-conditioned railway terminal, completed with a budget of Rs 314 crore. 

Currently, construction on the premises has resulted in significant dust accumulation. A three-floor building is being constructed as part of the station, and the foundation work is currently in progress.  The ground floor will feature a booking office, the first floor will house both common and ladies’ waiting halls, and the second floor will have retiring rooms and dormitories. About Rs 17 crore is being spent on the project. A fourth pit line is also being constructed for train maintenance. 

Poor maintenance

Although the station offers plenty of space with seating and charging points, many passengers are opting to rest on the floors in the entrance and waiting areas, leaving many chairs in a corner unused. 

Claimed to be built to international standards, the station features a well-appointed food court, baggage scanners at the entrance, escalators, air-conditioning and restrooms. However, its maintenance falls short of the standards expected at a modern terminal. The baggage scanners seem largely cosmetic, as passengers routinely enter with their luggage without any checks, while security personnel are often distracted by their phones. Passengers also shared several instances of faulty escalators at the train station. 

Amenities like toilets are poorly maintained, and the platforms are littered with debris, showing signs of wear and neglect, including cracks and potholes, along with an unpleasant smell. Train departures have been delayed significantly, with some trains late by over four hours. 

In May 2023, gusty winds tore off part of the false ceiling and roof panels from the terminal, exposing shoddy construction. 

“There is no point building a fancy station when none of the amenities work properly. The restrooms at the station are some of the work I have witnessed in the city. Once, there was overflowing dirty water in one of the restrooms, and the staff was barely bothered,” said Rushitha, a passenger. 

Theft poses another serious problem at SMVT Bengaluru. A shopkeeper on Platform 3 reported frequent theft incidents, along with missing persons cases. Passengers have also raised concerns about the increasing number of beggars in and around the station premises.