HOT TOPICS
SPOTLIGHT AGENCIES
Sky-walk, literally
Written By murali772 - 28 November, 2010
Bangalore BBMP Planning Bellary Road Citizen Reports Skywalks Transportation Infrastructure Pedestrian Infrastructure
The BBMP, it would appear, likes to impart literal meaning to the term sky-walk. This set (pictures below), coming up at the High Grounds junction (facing the Sophia school, and behind Basava Bhavan), has a ground clearance enough for a BMTC bus to pass under, even with a full grown adult standing erect on top. The question however is will anybody, however energetic, ever use it, even with the four landings that have been very thoughtfully provided for each flight? Not only is it user unfriendly, its ground structures have taken up almost the entire width of the footpaths, forcing the pedestrians (including the Sophia school children) to go on to the carriage way.
The entire purpose very obviously is just to provide prime advertising space targeted at the high-spender airline passengers, a large majority of whom have to pass that way everyday. Another instance of revenue-oriented approach to governance - pedestrians be damned!
Muralidhar Rao
COMMENTS
murali772 - 24 August, 2012 - 12:09
@ ssheragu - you would still recommend pedestrian underpasses, even in the face of this report almost totally condemning them?
If yes, may be you should try going through the ones at Basaveswara circle (first you'll need to unlock the gates, though)
rs - 24 August, 2012 - 12:44
The basic problem is not the underpass - its the fact that they dont maintain them. If they are not locked they are filthy. But most of them are locked.
The problem lies in the design. You have to make them well lit and wide enough and comfortable. Also, efforts shoudl be made to make them more aesthetic. I see no reason why they need to make a grotesquely ugly cover for them - all it does is make them darker and more unpleasant.
One place crying for an underpass is Tumkur Road near Yeswantpur station. Every morning there are thousands of people trying to cross the road and this causes a great inconveniece to both pedestrians and vehicles. The solution lies in buiding a large underpass - like something they have in Bombay at Churchgate station or Metro - where they have shops below.
The problem with overpasses is that no one uses them.
murali772 - 24 August, 2012 - 12:57
@ rs - what you say is true. In fact, even the approach to the Kempe Gowda bus station from the Kapali talkies road is a fairly wide and decently built sub-way. But, the ones at Basaveswara circle, as also many others, are a nightmare.
And, for Yeshwantpur station, wouldn't something like this be better?
rs - 24 August, 2012 - 17:08
In Yeswantpur what you suggest will work for connecting it to the TTMC but I dont know if it will work to cross Tumkur road - the metro comes in the way. I'm not sure if one can build an overpass below the metro which is high enough for buses to pass under.
So at least to cross Tumkur Road an underpass seems to be the best option. But the way they build them ( Magic Boxes ) are completely useless. They have another locked one at Vijay Nagar on Chord Road - which would be uselful if it was open and of course completely useless ones at Malleswaram Sampige Road & 5th cross and in front of the Planetarium ( which are also locked ).
In most places - like the subway entrances in most cities - they dont bulid roofs for the stairs of the underpass - here they do which makes it darker. less airy and ugly and much dirtier.
Alternatively I suppose if the Metro station is well defined and cleanly linked to the station this might provide the necessary overpass - but I doubt they will be so thoughtful.
Ramesh
In Yesvantpur : Skywalk crossing all 6 Platforms, METRO Start
Sanjeev - 25 August, 2012 - 03:43
What we need at Yesvantpur station is :
Skywalk starting outside Station at Old Entrance ie PF-1 side and having entry / exit to all Platforms and then entry / exit outside the station on Tumkur Road side end ie PF-6, then connect the METRO station at same level and with entry / exit to Tumkur Road on Yesvantpur station side and then cross the Tumkur Road, provide Entry / Exit.
This will help Commuters of Yesvantpur station, METRO Station and NH-4 road crossing, connecting Vegitable market of Yesvantpur to Yesvantpur Yard.
Also provide two lanes for cycle as seperate bridge.
All these are big task where MP's, Local MLA's and Transpor Minister, Urban Minister, BMRC, DRM of SWR, BBMP, NHAI need to agree and work out the solution. State should come forward in investing for this facility.
Recover the cost thru' sponsorship, Advertisments & Vechile Parking
PRAJA.IN COMMENT GUIDELINES
Posting Guidelines apply for comments as well. No foul language, hate mongering or personal attacks. If criticizing third person or an authority, you must be fact based, as constructive as possible, and use gentle words. Avoid going off-topic no matter how nice your comment is. Moderators reserve the right to either edit or simply delete comments that don't meet these guidelines. If you are nice enough to realize you violated the guidelines, please save Moderators some time by editing and fixing yourself. Thanks!