Lack of basic facilities at Namma Metro stations

BANGALORE: Commuters of Namma Metro are disappointed over the lack of toilets and drinking water facilities in Metro stations along the Reach 1 route. While the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) plans to build 'pay and use' toilets outside the Metro stations, drinking water facilities and other options like eateries have not been included in the design of the stations yet. BMRCL has seen a surge in the commuters on Namma Metro especially during the festive season.

While people thronged the stations to experience the thirteen-and-a- half-minute ride, many were disappointed when they found that there were no toilets inside the stations and drinking water facilities. "Toilets and drinking water facilities are basic absolutely necessities, especially when we travel with children," said Balakrishnan, a commuter, who rode on Metro with his family.

In the meantime, the security guards and policemen at the Metro stations say that they many commuters constantly enquire about toilets at the station. "BMRCL does not want people to sit around in the stations especially during the peak hour rush. This is why they have not planned any eateries or shops inside the stations. But a lot of commuters ask about drinking water and toilet facilities," said Doreli-ngeswamy, a security guard at the M G Road Metro railway station.

Future plans

BMRCL has plans of commercialising the space in the metro stations in the future. They have invited tenders for an advertising consultant to help them design the station space commercially. They also have plans of setting up ‘pay and use’ toilets outside the station premises. But with Reach 1 of Namma Metro now operational, commuters feel that some basic amenities ought to have been there before the launch. "A metro station should have a toilet and drinking water facilities. With children travelling by the metro, these are basic facilities that need to be set up," said Jasmine, a commuter.