‘Prioritise pedestrian needs along metro line’

Residents raise concerns over absence of footpaths along some stretches on Mysuru Road-Kengeri line

After missing several deadlines in the past, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) is gearing up to start commercial operations of the extended metro line on Mysuru Road to Kengeri. Residents in the area, who have been waiting for years for metro services on the 7.53-km stretch to commence, however, have raised concern over poor accessibility to some of the stations. The absence of footpaths near entry/exit points, uncleared debris on pedestrian pathways, and garbage dumped on pavements are some of the concerns. BMRCL has estimated that around 75,000 passengers will benefit every day once the line is operational. The extended metro line has six stations: Nayanadahalli, R.R. Nagar, Jnanabharathi, Pattangere, Kengeri Bus Terminal, and Kengeri. But, before it is thrown open to the public, residents have demanded that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and BMRCL fix the problems.