A transport hub that lacks integration, basic facilities and suffers from safety concerns

An aerial view of Majestic.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

The Majestic area — home to the Kempegowda Bus Station, Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna City railway station and Kempegowda Metro Station, all metres from each other — sees lakhs of passengers commute through it everyday. However, despite being a crucial transit hub, the lack of integration among different transport modes continues to cause significant inconvenience to commuters.

At the bus terminal, passengers are forced to navigate dangerous roads to switch between transport services, risking accidents. The stretch between the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus stands is particularly hazardous, with multiple accidents being reported over the years. Although subways connect the bus terminals with the railway station, poor maintenance discourages their use, forcing many to brave the chaotic traffic instead.

Lack of basic facilities

The area’s transformation from Dharmambudhi lake — once an important water source — to a bustling transport hub has come at a cost. Today, the station is plagued by unhygienic toilets, inadequate drinking water facilities, non availability of commuter friendly infrastructure, and poorly maintained roads. Commuters frequently struggle to find seating areas, while the ever-present traffic congestion adds to their woes.

An aerial view of Majestic.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Regular commuters express their frustration over the situation. Praveen Kumar, a software engineer who travels through Majestic daily, said, “Switching from a metro train to a bus is a nightmare here. The crossings are unsafe, and the footpaths are in a bad shape. There is no proper way to move between stations without putting yourself at risk.”

Even passengers arriving from other places struggle with the lack of facilities. Venkatappa M., a frequent traveller from Chickballapur, said, “The toilets are in a terrible condition, and there are no proper waiting areas. If we have a long layover, it is a challenge to even find a clean place to sit.”

Safety concerns

Safety is another major concern, especially for women. Many spoke about how they almost always feel unsafe waiting for buses or heading to the other modes of transport. “It feels unsafe even during the day. After dark, this feels like the most unsafe place, though almost all bus stops are the same – unlit. I am constantly trying to protect my belongings and myself whenever I am waiting for a bus here or moving between the metro and the bus stand,” said Anjana, another commuter.

For over a decade, the KSRTC has proposed an integrated transport system to ensure seamless connectivity between buses, trains, and metro services. However, the plan has seen little progress beyond discussions. A notable attempt was made a few years ago to establish an inter-modal transit centre — a 45-storey complex costing ₹1,500 crore under the public-private partnership model. However, with only one company showing interest, the State government shelved the project. The redevelopment of the bus stand has again found mention in the 2025-26 Budget.

Collaboration is key

An aerial view of Majestic.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

Transport expert M.N. Srihari highlighted the lack of coordination as a major impediment to improving connectivity. “The absence of a unified approach among KSRTC, BMTC, and BMRCL has left Majestic in a state of disarray. Authorities must collaborate and devise a comprehensive plan to ensure smooth transit between different modes of transport,” he said.

“If buses, metro, and trains were seamlessly connected, more people would shift to public transport. It’s time the authorities prioritise this,” Mr. Srihari added.