BENGALURU: Metro commuters and the traffic police are happy that a skywalk is nearing completion on one of the busiest stretches in the city – Old Madras Road, near Byappanahalli Metro Station.
After a number of fatal accidents on the road and persistent demands from the public, especially Metro commuters from C.V. Raman Nagar, Vijnananagar and DRDO, the skywalk work has been taken up for construction and is nearing completion.
A traffic policeman, on condition of anonymity, said that the skywalk was needed for commuters and the policemen on duty. “I have seen many fatal accidents right in front of my eyes and I have felt helpless when I could not save lives. I have dialled the ambulance service 108 to carry accident victims but that has not helped. After one such accident, I flagged down an autorickshaw and shifted the accident victim to a hospital. But my effort went in vain," he said.
Citizens should be responsible and use safer means to cross a road rather than risking their lives and cutting through fast moving traffic on a highway. The skywalk should bring relief, especially to senior citizens. It will have a lift to carry senior citizens up and down, he said.
Ritesh John, a techie who takes the Metro regularly, said that since the Old Madras Road is a highway, vehicles move at high speeds. People cross the road unmindful of speeding vehicles and meet with accidents, he said.
Kavitha S., a resident of Vijnananagar and a techie, said that she takes the Metro regularly and that she is happy to see the skywalk ready to use. “It will help hundreds of Metro passengers. I have helped many senior citizens cross the road. Now, they can do so without waiting for anyone’s help. The skywalk should have been built a long time ago. Anyway, it's better late than never,” she said.
BBMP sources said that the skywalk will be completed shortly and will mainly benefit Metro commuters. Vehicle users too are happy that they don’t have to jam the brakes to avoid pedestrians.
