Bengaluru: Thousands of residents of Srirampura and Seshadripuram will soon have easier access to Sampige Road Metro station, with the railways Monday announcing the construction of a pedestrian subway between Swatantra Palya and the station.The fully underground subway will be funded by the South Western Railway (SWR) at an estimated cost of Rs 5.5 crore. Designed with a 2.6-metre ceiling height and a width of 5 metres, the subway will provide a safe and convenient crossing beneath the tracks, benefiting thousands of pedestrians daily.According to officials, the project was taken up after frequent pedestrian movement across the railway mainline raised serious safety concerns for both the public and train operations.At present, commuters walk across the busy railway tracks and negotiate a narrow, sloping path to reach the station. “The subway will provide a safe and convenient crossing beneath the railway tracks while improving the safety of train operations. It will benefit residents of Seshadripuram, Okalipuram, Srirampura and Malleswaram,” an official said.
Current narrow pedestrian path used by residents
Dinesh Gundu Rao, MLA for Gandhinagar, said the pedestrian subway addresses a long-pending demand of local residents.“Crossing the railway tracks has led to frequent accidents, posed safety risks at night and created law-and-order concerns. The project should be executed using modern construction technologies,” he said.A foundation stone-laying ceremony was held Monday, and work is expected to begin shortly. SWR has set Jan 2027 deadline for completing it. However, Union minister of state for railways V Somanna said the project will be completed well before the target.Somanna added that the construction of the road under bridge (RUB) at Ramohalli Gate near Kengeri will be completed soon. Tumakuru-Davanagere and Rayadurga-Tumakuru railway line projects are being executed on priority, he said, adding a new direct railway line connecting Bengaluru and Kolar is being planned via Hosakote, Narasapura and Vemagal.
