Banashankari metro skywalk nears completion

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) announced in this year's budget that Rs 500 million has been allocated for the construction of a skywalk connecting Banashankari metro station with the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus stop in the vicinity. Commuters who regularly use the area expressed their approval for the initiative and urged the project to commence at the earliest, citing the current difficulty in navigating the Banashankari junction. The proposal for the foot over bridge (FOB) was initially suggested in 2019 but is now being realised. In January 2022, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) unveiled a plan to construct a skywalk linking the Banashankari temple, the BMTC bus terminus (which also houses the Traffic and Transit Management Centre), and the metro station. The Banashankari metro station, operational since June 2017, is recognized as one of the stations with high footfall. According to the BMRCL proposal, the current junction design is a result of the leftover space from numerous projects undertaken over the years. It features oddly shaped traffic islands and pedestrian crossings leading nowhere, creating a challenging environment for pedestrians amidst heavy bus and vehicular movement. Those purchasing vegetables and fruits from vendors are forced to do so in the middle of the road, with their backs to the traffic. The BMRCL proposal highlighted the substantial bus movement through the junction, evident from makeshift bus stops scattered across the area and the number of buses parked in the middle of the carriageway. The proposed Banashankari skywalk project aims to facilitate smooth vehicular flow, establish designated bus stops, provide safe access for pedestrians, and create space for street vendors.