Exciting News For KR Puram Metro Commuters : Commuters Rejoice as Deadlock Breaks: Foot Overbridge Construction Signals Enhanced Connectivity

Exciting news for metro  commuters and railway commuters in Bangalore! A new foot overbridge is set to be built in KR Puram. In a significant breakthrough, the long-standing deadlock between South Western Railway (SWR) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has finally come to an end, paving the way for the construction of a crucial foot overbridge (FOB) between KR Puram railway and Metro stations. The FOB, set to be built in three phases, aims to enhance connectivity and streamline commuting for thousands of passengers.

The first phase of the project will focus on connecting the Purple Line Metro station with the opposite side of the road, followed by the second phase, which will establish a connection between the Blue Line station and the adjacent side of the road. The final phase will extend the FOB, linking the renovated KR Puram railway station’s platform with all the Metro stations, making it convenient for Metro commuters.

KR Puram Metro station, an important interchange point where the Purple Line (Byapapnahalli-Kengeri) intersects with the upcoming Blue Line (ORR-Airport Metro), has been a critical juncture eagerly anticipated by commuters. Several civic departments have coveted the land on the railway station side for decades, but BMRCL successfully acquired it, agreeing to provide an equal amount of land to SWR in return.

Yashvanth Chavan, Chief Public Relations Officer at BMRCL, stated that although the FOB’s construction is being planned meticulously, no specific timeline for the phases or project completion has been determined yet. He also mentioned that pending land licensing charges need to be settled before construction can resume. Kusuma Hariprasad, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, confirmed that SWR has advised BMRCL to halt construction until the licensing fee is paid, and a formal communication in this regard will be sent soon.

Notably, the intervention of the Mahadevapura Task Force (mobility) played a pivotal role in negotiating with authorities to ensure optimal connectivity for FOB users. Originally, the plan was for Metro commuters(passengers) to exit the station and ascend the FOB from the ground level to reach the other side. However, after persuasive discussions, the task force successfully convinced authorities to connect the FOB to the first floor of the existing Purple Line station. Additionally, they advocated for the integration of the Blue Line station with the Purple Line station, effectively mitigating potential disconnections between the two lines.

As the construction of the KR Puram FOB commences, metro commuters and railway commuters and stakeholders alike anticipate improved accessibility and enhanced connectivity, marking a significant milestone in the continuous development of Bengaluru’s metro infrastructure.