Bengaluru: With the announcement of feasibility study for Namma Metro Phase 3, citizens have started putting forth requests for inclusion of certain areas under the proposed project. In fact some have started a petition demanding extension of metro from Marathahalli Bridge to Varthur Road and beyond, as it will help in taking pressure off the roads.
Whitefield is now home to hundreds of industries, IT parks, malls, international schools, hospitals and residential spaces and is linked to the city by two roads - Old Airport Road and Old Madras Road. Both these road traffic gridlocks, especially during peak hours, and hence there is a need to introduce alternate modes of transport such as metro and suburban trains.
In his petition Jerin M. Jose said, “It is well known that Marathahalli Bridge and Kundalahalli signal are major choke points on this route. If the metro could be extended from Marathahalli to Varthur Kodi and beyond, it would provide a major boost to connectivity on Varthur Road.
Of late the Varthur-Gunjur stretch is turning into a major residential hotspot. By the time phase 3 begins, the traffic on this stretch would increase manifolds with Varthur road and Panathur road providing the only exit options. A metro rail route on this stretch will benefit a large number of residents along Varthur road and help in taking out a lot of vehicles off the road.”
Jerin is not alone, many people who commute on this route feel the same. Ravi Gopal, an IT professional, pointed out, “Most of the people take the Varthur Road and this creates huge traffic gridlocks. Even to travel half kilometre, it sometimes takes one hour. We need metro as soon as possible.”
Voicing a similar opinion another commuter Kuljeet Singh said, “The authorities should have planned metro in this stretch under Phase 2 itself, but even if they do it under phase 3 it will be welcome.”
