Skywalk rises over footpaths again — this time at Hudson Circle

Bengaluru: Despite the limited utility of most pedestrian skywalks in the city, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) continues to sanction the construction of foot over bridges, even at junctions equipped with pedestrian signals.

Ironically, a new skywalk is now being built right in front of the BBMP headquarters at Hudson Circle — an area that already has functional pedestrian crossing signals. To make matters worse, the skywalk’s design has completely blocked the footpath on both sides.

Earlier this week, construction workers were seen laying foundation pillars for the skywalk near the entrance of Cubbon Park on Kasturba Road. Nearly half a dozen pillars have been installed, occupying the entire width of the footpath and leaving no space for pedestrians. A similar situation exists on the opposite side of Hudson Circle, near the junction where Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road meets.

Going by the groundwork, the proposed skywalk is expected to span across two roads. Foundation work is also underway on a vacant plot behind the BBMP tower and the circle, which was re-done just last year.

A BBMP engineer from the Traffic Engineering Cell (TEC) mentioned that the original plan was to construct a skywalk all around Hudson Circle. However, it was scaled down to avoid obstructing the tower on the front side.

Commuters waiting for buses at Hudson Circle expressed scepticism about the skywalk’s usefulness. Many suggested that the BBMP should instead implement traffic-calming measures and build a raised pedestrian crossing at the ground level. “Why would a pedestrian walk 100 steps up a skywalk just to cross a 20-foot road, when it takes five steps to do so on the ground?” asked one commuter.

On the other side of the junction, pedestrians, too, prefer crossing the road directly, especially since traffic often comes to a standstill when signals turn red.

Some residents acknowledged that a skywalk might be useful near Krishi Bhavan, where Nrupathunga Road meets Kasturba Road, as well as across Mysuru Road. They pointed out that the current traffic signals there do not provide adequate time for pedestrians to cross safely.