The cry for better railway services has only grown louder. However, the South Western Railways is paying little heed. Yeshwanthpur railway station, which receives a high footfall thanks to connectivity provided by Namma Metro, was the starting point for the popular Yeshwanthpur-Kannur train. The South Western Railways has decided to shift the starting point to Banaswadi leaving commuters at the mercy of autorickshaw drivers at a station that has no last-mile connectivity or amenities to ensure comfortable travel, reports NISCHITH N
Boarding the Kannur Express has become a matter of great discomfort for commuters, with the railway department’s most recent decision. About a week ago, on Feb 4, the South-Western Railway shifted the terminal of train number 16527 / 16528 Yeshwanthpur – Kannur, from Yeshwanthpur to Banaswadi. Commuters are worried now as the Banaswadi station lacks connectivity. BMTC buses are a distant dream, leaving passengers at the mercy of autorickshaws and the new taxi option.
"I come from Kerala and work in Bengaluru now. I use to take the Yesvantpur–Kannur train every time I travelled home,” says Aparna, a regular commuter. Reaching the station was an easy and convenient affair, thanks to Namma Metro connectivity. Dealing with autorickshaw drivers is a dicey affair as they pester passengers while walking by and tend to overcharge them. Since the station attracts a big chunk of people from the city centre, the railways should be more proactive in seeking bus connectivity. It is impossible for women like us to walk all the way to the station, carrying children.”
Train 16527 Yesvantpur–Kannur Daily Express will originate from Banaswadi instead of Yesvantpur and run as train 16527 Banaswadi–Kannur Daily Express and accordingly, this train will depart daily from Banaswadi at 8.25 PM and arrive at Kannur at 9.50 AM. But experts agree that the railway department should start it from Yelankah or Chickabanavar.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Sanjeev, says "Most of the commuters from the north and south Bengaluru are finding it difficult because this station has no proper connectivity. A few buses were introduced, the buses plied mostly towards Cox Town and Shivajinagar. However, the response was not up to the mark and hence, the project was withdrawn after a few days. So instead of Banaswadi, it will be better if the train starts from Yelahanka or from Chikkabanavara, these two points will very helpful for the commuters".
Not long ago, a few commuters teamed up against the auto drivers who lurk outside railway stations charging exorbitantly, by taking the matter to social media. The Baiyappanahalli railway police staff recently conducted a drive against the menace. Train 16528 Kannur–Yeshwanthpur Daily Express commencing a journey from Kannur will be terminated at Banaswadi instead of Yeshwanthpur and run as train 16528 Kannur–Banaswadi Daily Express with effect from February 4 and accordingly, this train will depart from Kannur at 6.05 PM and arrive Banaswadi at 6.50 AM.
Lack of transport plagues Banaswadi station
Last-mile connectivity to and from Banaswadi railway station has always been a nightmare for commuters and it looks as if things are about to get worse. The South Western Railway is planning to allow more long-distance trains to halt here, making the need for multi-modal public transport that much more pressing. Now, more passengers will be forced to depend on autos and other, more expensive modes of transport.
“Reaching Banaswadi station is very difficult because auto drivers are simply not ready to play fair and switch on their meters. A few buses were introduced, the buses plied mostly towards Cox Town and Shivajinagar, Majestic. However, the BMTC claims that response was not up to the mark and hence, the project was withdrawn after a few days. But our railway department has started shifting many trains to this station which will be very difficult for the passengers” Kaushik S, a regular commuter says. It has been observed that passengers have to walk to the bus stops at Lingarajapuram or Jaibharathnagar to catch a BMTC bus. Now, most passengers are complaining that trains are being missed due to this connectivity issue. Train 16528 Kannur-Yeshwanthpur Daily Express, which now halts in Banaswadi, will arrive there at 6.30 am.
According to reports, an average of 20 trains halt at Banaswadi station. Many passengers say Banaswadi station has a lot of potential, but lacks even basic amenities, with members of the public dealing with all sorts of hurdles from the lack of connectivity to the absence of signage on the main road and poorly-lit streets.
