The new skywalk at north Bangalore’s
most dangerous accident spot has made it safer for thousands of pedestrians
crossing the national highway on either side.
With the Esteem Mall skywalk becoming
operational, traffic police have made the stretch signal free. Traffic now
moves faster and pedestrians have a safe path to crossover.
The only problem is that the skywalk
does not have a lift or escalator to help senior citizens and disabled.
A senior police officer told North
BangalorePost that this signal was a grave danger as traffic policemen on duty
had to be always alert after a series of fatal accidents prompted the demand
for a skywalk here. “Many vehicles never stopped despite a red signal to enable
pedestrians to crossover. This point is where thousands of school, college
children and office-goers cross from both sides. Now, we are a relieved lot,”
the officer said.
A new unforeseen problem has been
that many people waiting for buses stand under the shade of the skywalk as
there is no bus shelter on the defence side.
“There is an urgent need for a bus
shelter,’’ senior citizen Yoganandan said as he and his wife were asked to move
away and stand in the sun.
College students are the most
relieved lot. “We lost a classmate in an accident here. As most of us use
public transport, we have to cross over daily. This skywalk definitely makes it
safer for us,” says Suchit KM, a student in a Hebbal-Kempapura college.
The flyover was delayed as approvals
ran into problems as a part of the Esteem mall and defence land on the opposite
side had to be acquired. A hospital nearby had offered to construct the skywalk
but the BBMP did not give its approval as it had to be built according to NHAI
standards.
“This was a much needed
infrastructure project. I am glad that it has been completed and people are
using it,” says Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda in whose Assembly
constituency this area falls under.
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