The once-elegant steel canopy that graced Bengaluru’s Yeshwantpur railway station has been dismantled merely four years after its installation, raising eyebrows among commuters and drawing criticism over public expenditure. Installed in 2019 at an investment of Rs 14 crore, the canopy was intended to enhance the station’s aesthetic appeal and modernise its facilities. Yet, the structure now lies in disrepair, scrapped as part of a major redevelopment plan aimed at better catering to the expected surge in passenger footfall in coming years.
The dismantling has not gone unnoticed by the public, with many questioning the rationale behind such short-lived upgrades. Commuters like Ashwin Kumar, a regular passenger, expressed disappointment, noting that the canopy had contributed to the station’s modern look and drew positive attention. “People were taking photos with it, and now it’s gone, just lying dismantled at the entrance,” he remarked. Nagesh, an autorickshaw driver, echoed this sentiment, criticising the use of funds on what he described as “unnecessary structures” rather than practical infrastructure like passenger shelters for pick-ups and drop-offs.
According to an official from the South Western Railway (SWR), removing the canopy was necessary to facilitate the station’s ambitious redevelopment under a government-sanctioned project approved in June 2022. This redevelopment includes a new four-storey station building, additional amenities, a dedicated arrival-departure zone, and a connecting footbridge to the nearby Metro station. The official stated that the new facilities would accommodate the projected doubling of footfall at Yeshwantpur, a major railway hub. However, the expenditure details on the canopy remain undisclosed.
For years, Yeshwantpur’s integration with the adjacent Metro station has been an unresolved challenge despite their close proximity. Passengers have faced difficulties accessing the platforms due to construction, underscoring the need for seamless connectivity. The Deputy Chief Minister recently inspected the ongoing Metro work and assured that a foot overbridge would be constructed to link the railway and Metro stations.
The redevelopment project is targeted for completion by July 2025, but the dismantling of a relatively new structure has highlighted a pressing need for sustainable planning in urban infrastructure projects. As public funds come under scrutiny, stakeholders urge that future projects be rooted in durable, sustainable designs that minimise wastage and deliver lasting benefits for the city’s expanding transit needs.
