Third phase of BIAL expansion under study

Third phase of BIAL expansion under study

Staff Reporter

It is estimated to cost Rs. 1,000 crore

Expansion planned keeping in view rise in number of passengers

Bangalore air passenger traffic is around

11 million

BANGALORE: Even before the first commercial flight is to land at the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli, the BIAL authorities have started planning for the third phase of airport expansion at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,000 crore, which includes laying of the second runway owing to the rapid increase in the number of air passengers.

Disclosing this to presspersons here on Friday, Principal Secretary (Infrastructure) V.P. Baligar said the BIAL authorities had sought clearance from the Defence Ministry for starting the work on the second runway that is to be aligned towards the south of the existing one. The second runway requires clearance from the Indian Air Force as it operates its flights at Yelahanka, located in the vicinity. “The third phase that includes additional terminal building, taxiway and aprons besides the runway is likely to be completed by 2013.”

He said that the authorities were planning for third phase in the light of projected increase in passenger traffic by 2013. “Bangalore air passenger traffic is around 11 million at present and even without the second runway, it is in a position to service around 20 million passengers. Taking into consideration the future growth, the expansion is being planned,” Mr. Baligar added.

To enable passengers reach the airport faster, the government had drawn up plans that also includes eliminating traffic signal on Ramana Maharshi Road (Bellary Road). Apart from the underpasses planned between the Minsk Square and Hebbal Flyover, Mr. Baligar said: “The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has charted out a plan to make the Outer Ring Road signal free, barring at four places. People can use the ring road to reach the National Highway 7 (Bellary Road) faster.”

Apart from developing National Highway 7, Mr. Baligar said that National Highway 207 and State Highway 104, connecting the airport from Devanahalli and Hoskote area, would also be developed, and that connectivity to the airport from eastern and northern side would be improved before February 2008.

Stating that the Trumpet Interchange, which would connect the passengers from the National Highway 7 to the airport, was bogged down in legal problems, he said: “Two loops of the interchange would be ready before the inauguration of the airport and we hope to complete the other two loops by August 2008 depending on the Supreme Court’s order.” Till the other two loops were completed, passengers headed to the airport from the city may have to take a U-turn on the national highway to reach the airport.