Metro Accessibility Plan – A Boon for Bangalore Pedestrians
Connectivity integrates a city and Metro rail plays a crucial role in it. With the expansion of Namma Metro in Bangalore the proposal for mass-transit seems to be at its full fulcrum. Almost two years in operation, the 6.7 km long stretch, from Baiyappanahlli to MG road, has contributed significantly to the solution of the transport problems in the city.
The BMTC has around 5000 buses and carries around 37 lakh people on a daily basis, that is 0.2% of the total vehicle population of the city. With the completion of the Reach-1 of Namma Metro Phase-1 line (in 2012), the State Government prepares for an accessibility plan (2013-2021) for the benefit of the citizens.
Objective of Station accessibility plan
The Department of Urban Land Transport prepared the Station Accessibility Plan under the National Urban Transport Policy, 2006. The sole objective of the proposal is to allocate an equitable proportion of road space to the citizens, giving adequate priority to non-motorized modes and greater use of public transport.
According to survey reports, drop in public transport in the city in the last two decades and incompetent footpath structure has led to the rise of metro usage by the commuters. A station accessibility plan for extension of the metro route will make travelling trouble-free for Bangaloreans.
Metro stations accessibility plan
According to Urban Land Transport Department’s report, the accessibility plan will be worked around 10 Metro stations including Peenya industry Metro station, Yeshwantpur industry Metro station,Sandal Soap Factory station, Rajajinagar Metro station, Srirampura station, Jalahalli, Peenya Metro station, Yeshwanthpur Metro station, Mahalakshmi Metro station and Kuvempu Road station.
The station accessibility plan must label the definite character of every location, their particular travel pattern with special emphasis on pedestrians.
Study area around each metro station
According to market sources, the study area around the 10 Metro stations should not be less than 750 mts. The study area must follow the road lines and if key environmental and economic features are adjacent to it and is likely to affect the Metro station access then such would be involved within the area outer limit.
How the accessibility plan will benefit real estate
Improved non-motorized access to different locations of the city will be an added advantage for the commuters of the city. With the functioning of the accessibility of plan(2013-2021), transportation in Bangalore will gain an edge. Consequently, real estate near the Metro stations such as Peenya industry, Yeshwanthpur industry,Sandal Soap Factory station) will significantly boom.
Prices for per sq.ft. area will rise significantly as rate for property near Byappanahalli rose to 20% due to construction of Metro in 2012. The metro project is likely to change the entire landscape of Bangalore and will witness the launch of a number of residential projects. Due to metro connectivity, areas such as Hesarghatta, Yelahanka, Electronics City, Puttenahalli and Jayanagar will encounter a drastic rise in property rates. Functioning of metro in these areas will attract the attention of key developers of the city and promote real estate significantly.
