The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering installing a lift in the skywalk across National Highway 44 near Esteem Mall after Hebbal flyover for the benefit of senior citizens.
The skywalk was opened in May 2017. Every day, hundreds of people use the skywalk from the Esteem Mall side to reach the other end of the road to catch buses to Kempegowda International Airport, Hyderabad and various other destinations.
However, passengers have been complaining that it is difficult to climb the skywalk with luggage. Senior citizens, especially, have a tough time.
An official of the NHAI said, “There is a demand to provide a lift. We have written to higher-ups seeking permission to provide a lift.”
In February 2015, a water tanker knocked down a group of people crossing the road. Two persons lost their lives in the accident. The public outrage forced the NHAI to build a skywalk across the busy road.
Vijaya Shankar, a pedestrian, said, “Before the skywalk was constructed, people would be injured in accidents nearly every day while trying to cross the busy road. The skywalk has helped save lives, but it difficult to climb the stairs with luggage. Like skywalks in other areas of the city, authorities must install lifts here for the benefit of pedestrians.”
Bus shelters
Bus shelters, a long-pending demand, are nearing completion. The NHAI had provided space near the defence area for bus shelters. NHAI officials said that Rural Development and Panchayatraj Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who is the MLA of Byatarayanapura constituency, has taken up work of building the shelters under the local area development fund.
However, regular commuters say that amenities like shelters alone will not be enough and that authorities should simultaneously widen the service road. “Despite availability of land, the NHAI is yet to widen the service road from Hebbal lake side towards Sahakarnagar,” said one commuter.
Sandhya Prasad, another regular commuter, said, “What is the use of building bus shelter on a unasphalted service road? Passengers have to put up with dust all the time. The situation worsens during weekends.”
An NHAI official said that work on shifting utilities will start in a couple of weeks, following by widening of the service road.
The NHAI had acquired land four years ago to expand the road. Once completed, along with the bus bays, it will reduce traffic congestion on the main lanes near the skywalk.
