KSRTC to build satellite bus terminal near Jalahalli

KSRTC to build satellite bus terminal near Jalahalli

Anil Kumar Sastry

BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is keen on developing inter-modal transit terminals (IMTT) at city entry points on all major roads to decongest the roads, to offer park-and-ride facility and to integrate different modes of transport such as bus, rail and metro rail.

To begin with, the corporation has proposed a sprawling IMTT on Tumkur Road, the major road feeding large number of vehicles and people to Bangalore. It has been the gateway to North Karnataka destinations, coastal districts as well as Malnad districts.

The corporation operates over 2,000 round-trips a day on this section from Kempe Gowda Bus Station (Majestic).
Plot provided

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation has provided a 10-acre plot near Ayyappa Temple on Jalahalli Road off Jalahalli Circle to the KSRTC for the purpose.

Located close to the proposed Jalahalli metro rail station, the plot would also house a terminal for Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses.

KSRTC Managing Director A.P. Joshi told The Hindu that the corporation has been striving to get funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for the project, which is estimated to cost around Rs. 60 crore. More than helping KSRTC to streamline its operations, the project has more to do with Bangalore city — aimed at decongesting city roads —, Mr. Joshi pointed out justifying the corporation’s claim for funds under JNNURM.

The busy Tumkur Road carried 21,000 two-wheelers, 5,000 three-wheelers, 10,000 light motor vehicles, 6,300 buses and 17,000 heavy goods vehicles a day, according to a 24-hour survey commissioned during January this year by the corporation.

The number of vehicles is set to double within five years, according to the survey projection.

“As such, it is time concerted efforts are made to reduce the number of private vehicles,” Mr. Joshi said.

He said that “a majority of private vehicle users indicated that they would be more than happy to use public transport if adequate parking facility was provided near their place of residence or work.”
Facilities

Planned to be constructed 800 metres away from Jalahalli Circle, the terminal will offer parking facility for private vehicles at the basement; dedicated alighting platforms; a BMTC terminal; maintenance depot for KSRTC buses; commuter amenities and a sewage treatment plant. A 10-metre wide subway is planned at the terminal for safe movement of passengers across the terminal. BMTC buses will offer feeder services by ferrying passengers into and out of the terminal. According to KSRTC Chief Civil Engineer and Estate Officer S. Jagadeesha Chandra, the terminal, with a basement, ground and first floors, will have a built-up area of 15,000 square metres. The structure will have provision to add six more floors. KSRTC’s aim is to provide all facilities for people at one place without compelling them to visit different places, he added.