‘Sarjapur stretch needs robust metro connectivity, better roads’

Connectivity Crisis

Bengaluru: The 14-kilometre stretch between Iblur and Sarjapur in southeastern Bengaluru has witnessed exponential growth in recent years. 

Over a lakh people working in tech companies along the Outer Ring Road live in neighbourhoods along this stretch. 

Over a lakh people employed in tech companies along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) reside in neighbourhoods along this stretch. This crucial corridor connects Whitefield and Electronic City Phase 2 and is home to schools, offices and commercial establishments. However, it is usually choked with traffic. 

According to a survey conducted by resident activists who launched the ‘Save Our Sarjapur’ campaign, of the seven lakh employees working in tech parks along the ORR, approximately 75,000 to 1,00,000 live in areas like Haralur, Kasavanahalli, Junnasandra, Doddakannelli and Carmelaram. 

Most of these areas fall outside the BBMP jurisdiction, and lack basic infrastructure such as good roads, walkable footpaths, skywalks, streetlights and door-to-door garbage collection. Public transport, provided by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), is limited. There is also the problem of first- and last-mile links, which forces residents to use private vehicles for daily commute. 

Holistic mobility aplan

A federation of resident welfare associations and civic groups behind the ‘Save our Sarjapur’ campaign is pushing for a comprehensive and holistic mobility plan for the IT corridor. 

While the area is poised to get metro connectivity under Phase 3A (Sarjapur-Hebbal, 36.59 km), residents say several metro stations have been proposed at longer distances. 

While initial studies proposed 14 metro stations between Sarjapur and Iblur, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) cleared by the state cabinet on December 6 lists only 12, with Sulikunte and Junnasandra stations dropped. 

The Sulikunte station was proposed between Muthanallur Cross and Kodathi, and Junnasandra between Doddakannelli and Kaikondrahalli. 

Mukund Kumar, a member of the Bruhat Muthanallur Residents’ Forum, noted that the distance between Muthanallur Cross and Kodathi is 3 km, while Doddakannelli and Kaikondrahalli stations are 2.2 km apart.

Typically, metro stations designed for intra-city commutes are spaced about a kilometre apart. 

“The Iblur-Sarjapur stretch is densely populated. By the time the metro is operational, the area will have grown even further, necessitating robust public transport,” Kumar said. 

Manila Carvalho, Principal of Delhi Public School, Bengaluru East, located in Dommasandra, emphasised the potential impact of the Sulikunte metro station. 

“Over 500 school buses from 40 nearby schools use this stretch daily. A metro station here would significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve the lives of 70,000 to 80,000 students. Due to the traffic, we do not let our students ride their bicycles to school,” she said. 

A senior official in Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) stated that DPR was prepared based on traffic assessment and was awaiting union government approval. 

“Nothing has been finalised yet. We need to see things progress,” he added.  

Kumar suggested some interim measures, including augmented BMTC bus services to Iblur Junction, and a grade separator and skywalk at the busy intersection. More MEMU (suburban) trains are also required towards Hosur and Baiyappanahalli, he added. 

Several residents say they are ready to use BMTC buses to their workplaces but their major concern is poor frequency. 

A survey of 2,000 residents revealed that 30% avoid social gatherings due to the traffic problem while a 28 per cent revealed they experience stress and road rage. 

Vishnu Prasad, founder of the Bellandur Development Forum, suggested introducing BMTC mini-buses for last-mile connectivity. 

GT Prabhakar Reddy, Chief Traffic Manager (Operation), BMTC, acknowledged the demand but cited bus shortage. 

“We currently operate four Vayu Vajra buses (18 daily trips) between Sarjapur and the airport, and nine Vajra buses (46 daily trips) between Hebbal and Sarjapur. “We are short of Volvo AC buses but plan to add electric AC buses soon. A field survey is underway to assess passenger demand,” he told DH. 

He added that numerous ordinary buses ply the route. However, he noted that the BMTC does not have mini-buses (7 metres long) to operate on the stretch. 

Srinivas Alavilli of the World Resources Institute (WRI) India, says, “If ORR is home to lakhs of high-paying jobs, Sarjapur Road is literally the home of these IT employees. The rapid growth of luxury apartments has resulted in high tax revenue for the government but investments in mobility infrastructure are inadequate. A suburban railway line has been delayed for years, and Metro Phase 3A will arrive 15 years too late. Buses cannot reach most of these apartments due to narrow roads, and most residents are unable to ditch personal vehicles due to a lack of options. Safe cycle lanes and dedicated bus lane on the ORR are needed as soon as possible to reduce traffic. More than anything else, we need a robust data collection system to understand travel patterns and develop a sustainable mobility plan.” 

The Iblur-Sarjapur stretch is densely populated. By the time the metro is operational the area will have grown even further necessitating robust public transport.

Mukund Kumar Member Bruhat Muthanallur Residents’ Forum