Helitaxis, DMUs... let’s do whatever it takes

Helitaxis, DMUs... let’s do whatever it takes

Bangalore: Air travellers are already dreading the prospect of negotiating gridlocked roads on their way to the international airport at Devanahalli, which becomes operational on March 30, 2008. On November 8, The Times of India carried a detailed proposal to improve the situation by Bangalore’s Lead India representative Rajendra K Misra. Readers responded with their ideas on how travelling to the airport can be made hassle-free. Here are some of their suggestions:
Wide roads and multiple approaches are a must to ensure smooth connectivity to the new airport. Here are a few suggestions
Double the width of the Hebbal-Devanahalli stretch
Provide an alternative approach via Hennur Road bypassing Sathanur. Connect Bagalur via the Navodaya school road, which goes directly to the new airport’s wall.
Make Hennur Road 200 ft wide
— Nerry D’Silva
Trains are the most effective mass transport system. They are dependable and reduce chaos on roads. Under-utilised railway lines around Bangalore can be considered to connect far-flung areas with the Devanahalli airport
From East and South Bangalore: Run DMUs between Byappanahalli/ KR Puram station and Devanahalli station (on the Chikballapur route) every hour
From North and West Bangalore: Run DMUs between Bangalore City Station/ Yeshwantpur and Devanahalli station every hour
Operate Volvo buses from Devanahalli station to Devanahalli airport
From Electronic City: A special DMU can be run between Hosur and Devanahalli via Bellandur, Byappanahalli, Banaswadi, Hebbal and Yelahanka (all of which already have stations) and Marathahalli, where a platform can be built
From Whitefield-ITPL area: A special DMU can be run between Whitefield and Devanahalli via KR Puram, Yelahanka. Earlier, DMUs used to ply on this route
Only two trains ply on the Bangalore-Chikballapur route, one in the morning and another in the evening. This track can easily take non-stop DMU traffic. It should not take more than one hour to reach Devanahalli station, which is just 4 km from the airport. This would entail less investment, as the infrastructure exists.
— K Sai Prasaad
Till the roads are improved to cope with the traffic headed for the Devanahalli airport, domestic flights must continue operating to and from HAL airport. Domestic flights can start using the new airport from September 30, 2008.
From March 30, 2008 to September 30, 2008, all international flights could be made to land at and take off from the new airport between 1 am and 8 am.
From 8 pm to 11.30 pm, all heavy vehicle traffic except BMTC buses should be banned on the ORR from Electronic City to Devanahalli.
Start dedicated hourly train services between Bangalore City railway station (through Bangalore Cantt) to Devanahalli on the lines of Malaysia’s KLIA Ekspress between Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. This train covers a distance of 80 km in 28 minutes.
Operate hourly buses between Devanahalli and Bangalore (Kempegowda Circle).
— Air Marshal (retd) S Y Savur
Helitaxi service could be introduced from Rajarajeshwari Nagar, JP Nagar and Electronic City to the new airport. Helipads can be constructed at strategic points. Private helitaxis can operate a shuttle service from these points.
Also, BIAL could construct another runway at Bidadi on a BOOT basis.
— R Guru Rao
This issue can be resolved in three phases:
Short term: enforcement of traffic rules, minor repairs to roads, maintenance of sign boards and signal lights
Mid term: Improving junctions, providing paved shoulders, good footpaths, segregation of up & down traffic. Training of drivers.
Long Term: New roads, adding new lanes, flyovers, underpasses, bridges
The present chaos can be brought down to 50% by enforcing traffic rules. Ensure lane discipline by imposing hefty spot fines.
Do not allow heavy vehicles or two wheelers to use the fast lane.
— Sunil Vasudevan