Multiple approaches to international airport

Multiple approaches to international airport
TIMES NEWS NETWORK


Neither the BMRDA expressway to the under-construction international airport at Devanahalli nor the dedicated rail link will be ready when the airport will be operational by April 2, 2008. But there is no cause for worry. According to infrastructure department, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and various government agencies are working on multiple approaches to the airport.
“We are developing alternative roads around the airport. Besides, BMTC will run Volvo buses — airport specials — from all parts of the city to the airport while the Railways may come up with links, separate from the dedicated rail link,’’ infrastructure secretary V P Baligar said.
The Railways may run a push-pull exclusively for the airport from Bangalore City railway station, Cantonment or Yeshwantpur or all three, right up to Doddajala railway station from where BIAL will operate buses to the airport; or Railways may extend the existing rail link up to the trumpet interchange (the entrance way from Bellary road — NH7 — to the airport) and put up a station there. The third option is to extend the rail link right into airport area for which BIAL will give land.
For people particular about driving up to the airport, all district and zilla panchayat roads around the airport are being developed to state highway standards. By April next, people from Bangalore East and Whitefield will have direct toll-free roads to the airport while everyone else can come via various roads linking the Outer Ring Road to the NH-7 (Bellary road) just before the trumpet interchange.
STATUS OF APPROACHES
BMRDA toll road from Outer Ring Road to airport entrance: expressions of interest invited to build on public-private partnership model. Will take over an year to be ready. Rail link from airport: Delhi Metro drawing up DPR to be ready in two months; plans to run high-speed dedicated line on elevated track along Bellary road. Will take over two years. PWD developing NH 207 directly connecting Hoskote to Devanahalli; Avalahalli to Kadayarappanalli road to connect Whitefield; Hennur-Nagavara-Hannur, Bagalur-Singlahallli-Bettakote-Bychapura roads to connect Outer Ring Road to airport.