Ignored for long, Chickpet Metro station premises raise a stink

BENGALURU: It’s been two years since Chickpet Metro station on the Green Line became operational, but basic amenities and better accessibility still remain a distant dream.
While Metro connectivity has eased traffic congestion in the city’s commercial hub, BMRCL and BBMP have done little to improve the condition of the station and its surroundings. “This is the most neglected station on the entire Metro line,” Sajjan Raj Mehta, a trade activist in Chickpet, said.
At the main entrance ‘A’, BMRCL has provided just one escalator which only goes up (from concourse to street level).There are no escalators on both sides for those using ‘B’ entrance. The ‘C’ entrance near the Ganesh temple remains closed.
Passengers, particularly senior citizens and differently abled citizens, are facing inconvenience due to poor accessibility. Gundopanth Street, an approach road near the station’s entrance, is in poor condition with overflowing sewage and potholes. “It will be worse during monsoon. The entire stretch stinks because of open drains and sewage,” said S Venkitesh, a commuter.
AS Char Street, the main road in front of the station, is grappled with heavy traffic and illegal parking. Commuting from the station’s main entrance to ‘B’ entrance through Police Road, which is encroached by fruit vendors, is a nightmare. With no public toilets in the vicinity, many people urinate on the road itself.
“The pavements near the station are blocked by hawkers from nearby market. Public urination is rampant, but there have been efforts to provide adequate toilets. Our association is ready to take up maintenance if BMRCL or BBMP set up toilets in the area,” said Gautam Porwal, president, Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association.
As no BMTC buses ply on these narrow lanes, commuters point out the need for a pre-paid autorickshaw counter at the station. “Auto drivers often demand more than double the government-fixed fare,” said Sangeeta P, a Metro user.
Mehta said the station needs public toilets, water kiosks, amble parking space and escalators. “Once these facilities are provided, Metro will be beneficial for thousands of people in the area. It’ll also help more people, especially traders, to shift to Metro and reduce traffic burden on the road,” he added.
BMRCL chief public relations officer BL Yashvanth Chavan said they’ll soon install additional escalators. “We’ve been ensuring facilities at stations. There are lifts at Chickpet station for passengers, but other issues come under the purview of BBMP,” he added.
“We’ll improve facilities near the station,” BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said.