IKEA enhances access with footbridge linking store to Nagasandra Metro in Bengaluru

The newly opened Foot Overbridge connects IKEA store and Nagasandra Metro station in Bengaluru.

Swedish furniture giant IKEA unveiled a foot overbridge directly connecting its store to Nagasandra Metro station on October 18.

IKEA launched its store behind Nagasandra Metro station on Namma Metro's Green Line (Nagasandra - Silk Institute) on June 22, 2022.

"The construction of the IKEA Nagasandra Bridge began in April 2023 and was completed within six months, making the bridge fully operational. This foot-over bridge ensures safety and convenience for all customers visiting IKEA Nagasandra," stated IKEA in a statement.

"Around one-third of IKEA Nagasandra visitors use the Metro for their commute, and the foot-over bridge will greatly enhance the ease of access between Nagasandra Metro station and the IKEA store. This improvement will make shopping more comfortable and provide a better transportation option during peak traffic hours and adverse weather conditions," the statement said.

Also, read: Ikea in Bengaluru: 3-hour wait to enter the store, significant weekend traffic congestion 

In 2017,  Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) leased 13 acres of land in Nagasandra to IKEA for 60 years, generating Rs 251 crore in revenue. Notably, footfall at Nagasandra Metro station increased after IKEA's opening.

Interestingly, among the four terminal stations, only Nagasandra, located in the northwest part of Bengaluru, is included in the list of stations with the highest footfall.

Also, read: Bengaluru Metro's busiest stations revealed; rolling stock shortage affects service frequency

Also, read: Bengaluru's IKEA store sees nearly 1 lakh visitors in its first few days 

AS Shankar, executive director (operations, and maintenance) at BMRCL, said, "With the expansion of Metro, visitors from Whitefield in East Bengaluru and the South of Bengaluru can have easier access to IKEA Nagasandra directly from Metro station."

BMRCL managing director Anjum Parwez had told Moneycontrol, "Following the opening of IKEA, our daily ridership on weekdays increased from 10,000 to 17,000, and during weekends, it rose from 14,000 to around 25,000."

Also, read: From funding stations to painting pillars, here’s how corporates are boarding the Bengaluru Metro

In 2009, BMRCL and Mantri Developers entered into a public-private partnership to provide direct access from Mantri Mall to Sampige Road station on the Green Line in Malleshwaram. The station is renamed as Mantri Square Sampige Road.

Some of these firms have entered into agreements with BMRCL to build Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) from the nearest station to their respective campuses, fund stations, paint viaducts, pillars, plant saplings, and maintain medians.

Also, read: First-person account: A 43-km Metro ride from Bengaluru's tech hub Whitefield for Rs 60