BENGALURU: THE demand of employees in Whitefield area, particularly the IT sector, is set to become a reality this month with the opening of the Hoodi Halt station. Most of the station is ready with work related to a ticket booking office nearing completion.
The station is located between Krishnarajapuram and Whitefield railway stations.
“The construction of the station is a big move towards ensuring safety of hundreds of passengers who dash out of trains which halt for less than a minute at the Satellite Goods Whitefield Terminal (SGT), an unauthorised halt for the public,” said Sanjiv Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru Division. The SGT halt was intended only to help railway staff working at a cabin here to alight and board.
For passengers disembarking here, it was risky as trains come in both directions, Agarwal said.
“After the opening of this station, we will put an end to the halt given at SGT. Our staff may have to walk a little bit but a proper station with platforms will ensure safety of passengers,” he added. Six pairs of Passenger trains running between Bengaluru and Bangarpet pass through this route daily, said an official. The halt at Hoodi is likely to be for one minute.
Without any platform, public walk on the tracks filled with ballast and the danger of slipping on to the tracks and sustaining injuries is high, the official added.
There was a sustained demand for the last two years for a stoppage at Hoodi from commuters in the Whitefield area, particularly those employed in the IT sector in the ITPL area. Sustained campaigns were carried out through public forums and social media.
Work commenced in January this year and thanks to the contribution of Rs 1.75 crore by MP P C Mohan from the MPLAD funds, it faced no financial crunch.
“The station is now equipped with two platforms, each running to 400m in length, shelters, lighting, benches and a booking office,” Agarwal said.
Hundreds of passengers are likely to benefit from this stoppage, he added.