Delay in constructing pedestrian bridge near Challaghatta metro station puts commuters at risk

Despite being announced nearly a year ago, the pedestrian bridge proposed by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) near Challaghatta metro station is still not built, forcing commuters and pedestrians to cross the busy Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway amid fast-moving traffic. The delay has raised safety concerns among residents, students and daily subway users.

In April 2024, BMRCL had announced plans to build a pedestrian bridge across the expressway to ease movement between the two sides and provide safer access to the metro station. The project, expected to be completed by September 2024, was planned to serve as a critical link to the thousands of people who use the Challaghatta metro station every day. However, the lack of progress on the ground leaves travelers navigating this dangerous road without a safe crossing point.

Challaghatta metro station has around 10,000 passengers daily and traffic congestion during peak hours further increases the risk for those trying to cross the highway.

The proposed bridge is particularly important for students from various educational institutions located nearby, including Rajarajeshwari Medical College, ACS College of Engineering, Rajarajeshwari College of Dentistry, SDM Ayurveda and Hospital Institute and ICFAI Business School.

Passengers want security

Prakash Kumar, a long-time resident of Challaghatta, said the current situation is extremely unsafe. “Crossing the highway near the station is very dangerous. Vehicles move at very high speeds and there are neither signals nor a safe spot for pedestrians. Every day I see people narrowly avoiding accidents by running along the road. It is shocking that the bridge promised months ago has still not been built,” he said.

Students who regularly use the metro station also expressed their regret for the delay. Aman Prasad, an engineering student at a nearby university, said the absence of the bridge makes commuting stressful and risky. “Crossing the highway has become a daily struggle. There is always heavy traffic. We often have to wait for several minutes to cross the busy highway. A pedestrian bridge or overpass will make a big difference. It will not only save time but also prevent possible accidents,” he said.

Pavitra Suresh, a student at another nearby college, said, “The situation is chaotic during peak hours. Vehicles do not stop for pedestrians and the service road gets blocked. Having a pedestrian bridge will make it much easier and safer for us to reach the metro station. It will also reduce the risk of accidents, especially in the evenings when visibility is low.”

Earlier, BMRCL officials had announced that a 100-meter-long pathway will be built along with the bridge to connect the structure directly to the entrance point of the metro station. However, there was no statement from the authorities about the status of the project.

When contacted, BMRCL officials did not explain the delay or the revised timeline even as commuters continue to risk their lives while crossing the highway in the hope that the long-promised flyover will become a reality before a serious accident occurs.