Road overbridge for HSR and Koramangala

Private skywalk is met with mixed response from residents

By NIRMALA G

Soon, the residents of HSR Layout can cross over to Koramangala. A Rs 1 crore skywalk is planned to be constructed at the end of the BDA flyover near 9th Main Road, Sector 6, on Outer Ring Road (ORR). This will connect Sector 5 on the other side of ORR. To be built by Adonai Shelters, this will ease the road crossing blues of several elderly citizens and students. “Contrary to people’s fears, this will be built at a height of 28 feet while the upcoming Metro is to be built at 45 feet,” said HE Chandra Shekar, Secretary, Federation of HSR Residents Welfare Association. “In addition, there will be electronic escalators to help the elderly and the disabled from using the skywalk.”

The skywalk will have a length of 116 feet and a width of 28 feet. The traffic survey report done by students of Bangalore University indicated that there were 6000 people crossing the road every day with the peak reaching 12500 on certain days. This will help all those citizens making use of this stretch to cross the road, according to Adonai Shelters.
“It’s a fully-funded private enterprise where Adonai will monetise using billboards and other forms of advertising to make up for the capital and running costs,” said a spokesperson from Adonai Shelters at the ground-breaking ceremony last month. “In addition, the BBMP will be paid a rental for using the footpath and the road for the structure.”

Adonai claim to have built 21 such shelters across the city and this should be a cakewalk for them. MLA Sathish Reddy and Federation of HSR Residents Welfare Association chairman BNR Reddy were present at the inaugural function. This would be Adonai’s 22nd skywalk in Bangalore. If all goes well, the road over bridge should be ready by the end of this year.

However, the residents are giving a mixed response to this development. “At 9th main, there is a traffic stop where we can cross the road without a hitch, and people can also take the road below the flyover as the speedy traffic is above and not below the flyover which has a traffic signal,” said resident Dharmender.

Kavitha Reddy is curious to know how this skywalk will not be demolished if the Metro work begins. “We had asked for one over bridge near Mantri Sarovar earlier, but the government responded saying that it will be a waste as Metro will pass through. It’s hard to believe how this skywalk will work because I have seen Metro construction. They dig out the entire stretch and those machines need a lot of space.”

Sector 6 resident Biju Chacko was sarcastic about this new development: “The storm water drains from JSS School to MK Ahmed on either side are still works in progress for the last one year. Since the ground beneath our feet is not good enough, we are just elevating ourselves.”

However, Ravindra Karki says, “You can see the skywalk being used extensively near Ecospace in Bellandur. A similar situation will happen here too. Already many people have lost their lives near Sobha apartments in Bellandur. Even they are demanding a skywalk.” Agrees Girish Bellary: “How does a person who cares for himself choose to cross roads on the road surface when a skywalk is next to him? Only people who prefer suicides will indulge in it. Some residents gave the example of the majestic Skywalk not being used. Does that mean it was built unnecessarily?

“The users need to know how to make use of the structure. The same goes for lifts and escalators. People still have the staircase as a choice. On Outer Ring Road, there needs to be a skywalk for every two kilometres.”

The argument continues.