The entry into Yeshwantpur station from the market side, which was closed on July 18, 2023, for redevelopment, reopened in phases.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
After a wait of one-and-a-half years, passengers at Yeshwantpur railway station can once again use the market-side entry to access Platform No. 1. The Bengaluru division has reopened the entrance fully, complete with a newly revamped parking facility. However, despite the upgrades, commuters are facing significant traffic congestion at the entry and exit gates.
Railway officials confirmed that the entry, which was closed on July 18, 2023, for redevelopment, reopened in phases. Pedestrian access resumed in June 2024, and the entry was fully operational for vehicles from December 24, 2024.
The closure facilitated the construction of several key amenities, such as a 400-metre ramp connecting Yeshwantpur Circle to the station, a five-storey multi-level parking facility, offices for the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF). However, the archway that will display entry and exit signs is still under construction.
Despite these improvements, mismanagement of traffic at the entrance continues to create bottlenecks, frustrating commuters. Pavithra Naik, a woman passenger, expressed her disappointment, saying: “Owing to the heavy traffic jam and lack of proper management, I couldn’t reach the platform on time and missed my train. I thought this side entry will be better than the main entry, but this is worse.”
Adding to the congestion, street vendors on either sides of the roads leading to the station further exacerbate the issue. Another commuter, Lokesh H.V., said: “The road is already narrow, and now with vendors taking up space, it’s becoming a nightmare to navigate through the traffic and street vendors to reach the entry point.”
Residents from areas such as Mathikere, R.T. Nagar, Dollars Colony, Sanjaynagar, Vidyaranyapura, Malleswaram, and Hebbal stand to benefit from the reopening, given the ease of access to the station. However, the ongoing congestion has diminished the convenience that was anticipated following the redevelopment.
Authorities have promised to address the situation by streamlining traffic movement and ensuring better management near the entrance.
A railway official said: “We are aware of the traffic congestion near the market side entry and are coordinating with local authorities to improve traffic management for a smoother experience for passengers”.
Published – January 13, 2025 07:11 am IST