Black spots on Green Metro: Basic amenities lacking

The Namma Metro’s success has made the number of commuters double within two days of its commencement. However, the basic amenities at the stations are in serious wanting.  Predominantly the stations are not senior citizens and visually impaired friendly. These need to be looked into on priority.

The commuters are getting used to the Metro and are finding a little confused getting oriented to directions.  The bus stops, auto stands, parking lot are all still posing challenges.

The BMTC feeder busses are main hurdle to traffic near Metro stations because, without designated stops, the buses are halting at will to get the Metro commuters on board causing major traffic jams.

The Asia’s biggest Metro station Kempegowda Station at Majestic is proving a maze of sort for commuters and the staff are already too harassed attending to unending queries. All the required name boards are in place but commuters are not yet familiar with directions. By the time they inquire and get the needed information two trains would have passed.

K Chitra of Mattikere said more name boards are needed to guide the commuters. Toilets being outside the stations is cumbersome she said.

Sanjeev Dyamannavar, a planning engineer said the stations are not fully user friendly. Parking, auto stand, feeder bus stands and foot path for walkers are not planned and connecting roads are yet to laid.

The other complaints that commuters expressed were that drinking water is at remote spots, no escalator at Chikkapete station, no seating available for senior citizens, K R market station is too congested,  visually impaired find it difficult and all entry gates are not yet operational.