BRV Grounds-airport link cleared

BRV Grounds-airport link cleared
Anil Kumar M | TNN


Bangalore: Decks have been cleared for the multi-crore high-speed rail connecting BRV Grounds (MG Road) to Bengaluru International Airport.
The state has created a special purpose vehicle (SPV) —- Bangalore Airport Rail Link Ltd (BARL) — for the speedy execution of this project.
Though governor Rameshwar Thakur’s executive council gave its nod to the Rs 3,716-crore high-speed rail link, an SPV had to be created to give it legal status. This title has been placed before the Registrar of Companies (RoC) for its approval.
After studying the feasibility of the high-speed rail link to the new airport, a detailed project report was prepared and presented by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation MD E Sreedharan to the state government, which accepted it. Even though work is slated to commence in December, sources say it may begin earlier. Once the train becomes operational, passengers can reach the airport in less than 25 minutes.
The project’s blueprint specifies that a city air terminal (CAT) will be built at BRV Grounds. The track will run 34 km to the international airport, with two stops — one at Hebbal and the other at Yelahanka. Check-in and baggage facilities would be provided at CAT and the Hebbal stop, while only baggage facilities will be provided at the Yelahanka stop.
The SPV will enable the government to acquire 26.65 hectares of private land for the execution of the project. While nearly 40 hectares is needed, the government has 13.2 hectares for the project. The cost break-up includes Rs 2,677 crore only for the rail facilities, Rs 155 crore for land acquisition and Rs 300 crore for various taxes.
HIGHLIGHTS
SPV will be called Bangalore Airport Rail Link Ltd Project cost is estimated at over Rs 3,000 crore, higher than the new international airport project cost High-speed train expected to reach the destination in less than 25 minutes The train will stop at Hebbal and Yelahanka Only eco-friendly trains will operate in this link