An aerial view of Majestic.
| Picture Credit score: SUDHAKARA JAIN

The Majestic space — dwelling to the Kempegowda Bus Station, Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Metropolis railway station and Kempegowda Metro Station, all metres from one another — sees lakhs of passengers commute by it on a regular basis. Nonetheless, regardless of being a vital transit hub, the dearth of integration amongst totally different transport modes continues to trigger vital inconvenience to commuters.

On the bus terminal, passengers are compelled to navigate harmful roads to modify between transport companies, risking accidents. The stretch between the Karnataka State Highway Transport Company (KSRTC) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Company (BMTC) bus stands is especially hazardous, with a number of accidents being reported through the years. Though subways join the bus terminals with the railway station, poor upkeep discourages their use, forcing many to courageous the chaotic visitors as an alternative.

Lack of primary services

The world’s transformation from Dharmambudhi lake — as soon as an necessary water supply — to a bustling transport hub has come at a price. In the present day, the station is suffering from unhygienic bogs, insufficient ingesting water services, non availability of commuter pleasant infrastructure, and poorly maintained roads. Commuters continuously battle to seek out seating areas, whereas the ever-present visitors congestion provides to their woes.

Common commuters specific their frustration over the scenario. Praveen Kumar, a software program engineer who travels by Majestic every day, mentioned, “Switching from a metro practice to a bus is a nightmare right here. The crossings are unsafe, and the footpaths are in a nasty form. There isn’t any correct method to transfer between stations with out placing your self in danger.”

Even passengers arriving from different locations battle with the dearth of services. Venkatappa M., a frequent traveller from Chickballapur, mentioned, “The bogs are in a horrible situation, and there are not any correct ready areas. If now we have an extended layover, it’s a problem to even discover a clear place to take a seat.”

Security issues

Security is one other main concern, particularly for ladies. Many spoke about how they virtually at all times really feel unsafe ready for buses or heading to the opposite modes of transport. “It feels unsafe even through the day. After darkish, this appears like essentially the most unsafe place, although virtually all bus stops are the identical – unlit. I’m always attempting to guard my belongings and myself at any time when I’m ready for a bus right here or transferring between the metro and the bus stand,” mentioned Anjana, one other commuter.

For over a decade, the KSRTC has proposed an built-in transport system to make sure seamless connectivity between buses, trains, and metro companies. Nonetheless, the plan has seen little progress past discussions. A notable try was made just a few years in the past to ascertain an inter-modal transit centre — a 45-storey advanced costing ₹1,500 crore beneath the public-private partnership mannequin. Nonetheless, with just one firm exhibiting curiosity, the State authorities shelved the mission. The redevelopment of the bus stand has once more discovered point out within the 2025-26 Funds.

Collaboration is vital

Transport knowledgeable M.N. Srihari highlighted the dearth of coordination as a serious obstacle to bettering connectivity. “The absence of a unified strategy amongst KSRTC, BMTC, and BMRCL has left Majestic in a state of disarray. Authorities should collaborate and devise a complete plan to make sure clean transit between totally different modes of transport,” he mentioned.

“If buses, metro, and trains have been seamlessly linked, extra folks would shift to public transport. It’s time the authorities prioritise this,” Mr. Srihari added.