Bus! Yelahanka wants a terminal now

Bus! Yelahanka wants a terminal now
The Times of India

Yelahanka: Yelahanka has grown to become quite a different satellite town from what was planned. To travel during the peak hours in Yelahanka Newtown is a harrowing experience.

Ask office-goers, school kids and college students who wait in large numbers to board the buses that often run late or are rare to get. The area has a population of 20,000 of which nearly 65% is dependent on public transport.

What is required? A bus terminal is absolutely necessary. It will not only add more number of buses, but also benefit nearly 15,000 residents of the neighbouring Attur Layout, explained local councillor Krishnamurthy.
According to the plan envisaged by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), the new bus terminal will be built at a cost of Rs 55 lakh. The state-of-the-art bus terminus will have multi-utilities including booking counter for KSRTC buses, counters for daily passes for BMTC buses, ladies waiting hall, refreshments and toilets.

“Frequency of the buses should be increased, lack of which, encourages people to opt for two-wheelers. There should be direct bus services to destinations like Vijayanagar, Rajajinagar, Koramangala, KR Puram and Whitefield because commuters are often forced to swap two to three buses,” pointed out resident Narashimmappa.

The area is also bogged down by lack of civic amenities like good roads, drainage system and water supply. Infrastructure being the predominant issue in and around Bangalore North Taluk, the reconstruction of Bagalur road is in progress. The road stretches to a distance of 11.5 km. “The authorities should utilise public funds properly,” said resident Mohan Rao.

The improper drainage system which led to severe flooding during the last monsoon, wreaked havoc in and around Yelahanka. Said Yelahanka CMC commissioner Mohammad Khalim Ulla: “We have identified problematic areas like Chikkabommasandra, Surabhi Layout, Yelahanka Newtown, Vinayaka Layout and Ambedkar Colony, and desilted storm water drains.”

MLASPEAK: YELAHANKA MLA B PRASANNA KUMAR

Steps are being undertaken to chip-carpet the internal road that links Yelahanka to Hesarghatta and the villages in Bangalore North Taluk and rural districts. A sum of Rs 10 lakh has been allocated towards this project and an additional Rs 10 lakh is provided by the zilla panchayat. Asphalting of roads from Laxmipura cross to Abbigere village, is given top priority.’’

PROBLEM AREAS

•Poor bus services, urgent need for more buses and
a terminal.

• Clogged drains.

• Bad roads and pavements.

• Lack of water supply.