23 minutes flat to Devanahalli!

23 minutes flat to Devanahalli!
DH News Service, Bangalore:

City centre to Devanahalli. In 23 minutes flat. That’s what the State government is looking at from its proposed elevated double-track rail line to the upcoming international airport in Devanahalli.
The rail line — that will start from the BRV Police Parade Grounds near the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium — will be designed to provide high-speed rail connectivity for passengers going to and from the airport.
Briefing reporters on the project on Wednesday, Minister for Infrastructure Development B Sriramulu and Principal Secretary for Infrastructure Development V P Baligar said the project would cost around Rs 3,500 crore to Rs 4,000 crore.
The Delhi Metropolitan Rail Corporation (DMRC) is preparing a Detailed Project Report on the rail line, that will be completed in around three years.
Passengers can check in either at the main station proposed at Parade Grounds or at the second station at Hebbal, with baggage. At Yelahanka, there will be a facility to board the train, but luggage will not be allowed.

Project details
DMRC Managing Director Sridharan, who met Mr Sriramulu on Wednesday, apprised him of the project details.
The DMRC has already carried out a traffic survey and soil testing. The project will be taken up on a Build Own Operate Transfer basis.
Chief Secretary P B Mahishi will hold a preliminary meeting on Friday wherein the issue of allocating a portion of the Parade Grounds for the project will be discussed.
According to Mr Baligar, a preliminary report on the project will be ready by June-end.
The elevated rail line is one of the many options that the government has been exploring to connect the City with the airport that’s scheduled for an April 2008 opening.
Apart from NH 7, SH 104, NH 207 and NH 4, village roads are also tipped to add to the connectivity network.
The National Highways Authority of India has recently announced overpasses on NH 7. The Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority has also announced a 21-km expressway connecting Outer Ring Road with Devanahalli.