K.R. Market metro station to showcase heritage of locality

January 22, 2017 12:17 am | Updated 12:17 am IST

Karnataka, Bengaluru: 20/11/2016: Green line Namma Metro train arriving at National College station for the first time on the southern side on the city, since the completion of the elevated sections of the metro lines through South Bengaluru was completed (Green Line between Kempegowda station and National College), a train has rolled on its tracks, in Bengaluru on November 20, 2016. A day ahead of the launch of trials on the South Line (Green Line), Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials successfully managed to push a train through from Sampige Road Metro Station then to the yet-to-be-completed underground stations of Chikpete and K.R. Market on the North-South line towards National College station. The South Line between National College and Yelachenahalli has been lying idle for over two years. BMRCL could not start services or conduct trials on this line as the only depot was located at Peenya, and the crucial underground stretches had not yet been completed. Trials are expected to go on till March next year before operations begin in April on this stretch.

Karnataka, Bengaluru: 20/11/2016: Green line Namma Metro train arriving at National College station for the first time on the southern side on the city, since the completion of the elevated sections of the metro lines through South Bengaluru was completed (Green Line between Kempegowda station and National College), a train has rolled on its tracks, in Bengaluru on November 20, 2016. A day ahead of the launch of trials on the South Line (Green Line), Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials successfully managed to push a train through from Sampige Road Metro Station then to the yet-to-be-completed underground stations of Chikpete and K.R. Market on the North-South line towards National College station. The South Line between National College and Yelachenahalli has been lying idle for over two years. BMRCL could not start services or conduct trials on this line as the only depot was located at Peenya, and the crucial underground stretches had not yet been completed. Trials are expected to go on till March next year before operations begin in April on this stretch.

Bengaluru: The Metro station at City Market, one of Bengaluru's earliest settlements, will bring alive the rich heritage of the area. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) is most likely to rename it as Fort (Kote) Station and is working with the Department of Urban Land Transport (DULT) to put in place the relevant art installations and other amenities.

The station is close to the remains of Tipu Sultan's fort and palace complex. It is surrounded by landmarks, including the Bangalore Medical College, Vani Vilas/Victoria Hospital as well as the Kalasipalyam bus stand. The old 'pete', which saw some of the city's earliest settlers, is within walking distance. Remains of the fort remains and the palace are under the care of the Archaeological Society of India (ASI).

Keeping all this in mind, the DULT has proposed a design for K.R. Market station which will enable access to the fort, palace complex and other areas of interest.

“The vision envisages the station forming an integral part of the city's landscape. Currently, the proposal is at the concept level as the focus is on beginning operations by April. The work will involve landscaping of grounds handed back to the BMC after completion of Metro work. Provision of easy accessibility to BMTC bus services is also part of the proposal,” a senior DULT official said.

This will benefit visitors to the hospital, medical students, tourists as well as commuters using BMTC and Namma Metro services. “The focus will be on pedestrian priority and intermodal integration,” the official said.

The modalities of financing such a design are being worked out. The possibility of funds coming from the Tourism Department and private companies are being explored.

For the station itself, the plan is to put in place art installations and use the five exits to depict the dynasties that ruled the city over the years. “The station exits are currently in the drawing board stage. There are other projects like re-modelling the stretch of K.R. Road between BMC and the fort,” said Darpan Jain, Commissioner, DULT.

“We are planning the project in three phases. Phase 1 will focus on opening the station for operations and Phase 2 on the road. In Phase 3, we will take up the work on station exits and other work inside,” the official said.

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