Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has awarded a contract worth ₹55.48 crore to Milon Road Buildtech LLP to construct a travelator and pedestrian walkway connecting the Yellow Line and Blue Line stations at the Central Silk Board metro interchange. This project will feature the first travelator installation in Bengaluru’s metro network, designed to facilitate seamless movement between the two elevated platforms without requiring passengers to descend to street level.
The Central Silk Board station serves as an interchange for the Yellow Line, which connects R.V. Road and Bommasandra, and the Blue Line, currently under construction, linking Central Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport. The two stations are separated by a distance of 250 meters. To prevent passengers from having to walk across the outer circular road situated between the elevated tracks, an elevated skywalk travelator will be installed. Additionally, pedestrian walkways will be constructed on either side of the travelator for those who prefer to walk. BMRCL officials stated that the creative design of the structure is expected to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the area.
This interchange is distinct from other major junctions in the network, such as Majestic, where the Green Line is underground and the Purple Line is elevated, or R.V. Road, where the Green and Yellow Line stations are adjacent elevated platforms. At M.G. Road, the Purple Line station is elevated while the Pink Line station is underground, with a connection between them. In contrast, both the Yellow and Blue Line stations at Central Silk Board are elevated, necessitating the elevated travelator to bridge the gap over the road below.
Yashavant Chavan, Chief Public Relations Officer of ‘Namma Metro’, explained that travelators function similarly to escalators but are designed to move passengers horizontally between two points at the same level, a system commonly used in airports to connect distant terminals. While the Yellow Line is already operational, the Blue Line construction is ongoing, and the travelator will commence operations once the Blue Line service begins. BMRCL officials confirmed that the skywalk travelator will serve as the primary link between the two stations.
