Citizens complain about lack of Metro connectivity to upcoming Visvesvaraya rail terminal

By Aratrika Dey

Close to the inauguration date of the much-anticipated railway terminal at Baiyappanahalli, the residents are worried about Metro connectivity issues. After missing several deadlines due to varied reasons, the station named Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru (after Karnataka’s eminent engineer) was initially set to be launched on February 15, 2021. However, the inaugural date is now pushed to February 21, 2021.  

No Metro connectivity

Citizen’s forum ‘Namma Bengaluroo’ has said that this new terminal outlet is about two kilometers away from the Baiyappanahalli metro station, with no direct access road to it. Only proper connectivity options can make the Baiyyappanahalli railway station and metro station become next-door neighbors and provide better footfall. But some residents are optimistic that some such facility will be provided by the authorities to resolve their Metro connectivity concerns.  However, there is no official word on this issue.

What does this new terminal have to offer?

The railway terminal is set to be India’s first centralized air-conditioning facility spread over 4200 square meters. There is going to be plenty of parking space for travelers, separate entry and exit points, and a parcel counter. It is said to have eight-passenger lines with seven platforms that span over 500 meters in length, six stabling lines, three pit lines, with probable platform extensions to be installed in the future. However, as of now, only five platforms are ready. Resident Trishan Gangaraju has video footage of the construction progress so far. Currently, an over-bridge to band all the platforms together is under the works, alongside setting up the technical and communication infrastructure. 

Additionally, the terminal is also home to five loco bay lines; single units of a track machine siding, sick line, shunting neck, parcel siding, inspection car siding; alongside two short stabling lines to ensure smooth simultaneous operation of arriving and departing trains.

The terminal will reduce the load on the Majestic and Yeshwantpur railway stations as 50 trains can be operated at this junction with a capacity footfall of 50,000 people. Once operational, the station will reduce line congestion, particularly  long-distance trains from Mumbai and Chennai.