Focus on existing rail line to Devanahalli

Focus on existing rail line to Devanahalli
While those fighting to keep the HAL airport open beyond March-end have reason to celebrate, there are desperate efforts to put some semblance of connectivity in place
Amit S Upadhye | TNN



Forget the high-speed rail corridor connecting the city centre to Devanahalli. That will take some time in coming. It might be possible to reach the new international airport by train in 45 minutes paying less than Rs 30. What are the authorities doing with the existing railway line along National Highway 7?
The mega projects conceived to provide connectivity to the new airport will require not less than two to three years to become operational. Planners have, therefore, suggested making use of the existing railway corridor.
“The proposed train between Chikballapur and Bangalore city will be taken up as a priority. Two trains run between the city and Chikkaballapur and these trains can be utilized if there is a demand,’’ divisional manager of Southwestern Railway, Mahesh Mangal, told TOI.
At present, a train is operational between Bangalore city and Chikballapur with a halt at Dodda Jala, situated about 4.5 km from the international airport. The railways will start an additional train between Chikballapur and Yelahanka. However, the official clarified that the existing infrastructure cannot support separate train services between the airport and the city. “Any kind of connectivity requires a frequency which is not possible with the present infrastructure. The idea can be implemented only if the infrastructure is upgraded,’’ Mangal said.
But traffic planners see it the other way. “The track between the city and Chikballapur does not handle much of the trains. At fixed intervals, there can be trains from Devanahalli to Bangalore. It requires minimal infrastructure. Moreover, about two km of railway line abuts the compound wall of Devanahalli airport,’’ explained chairman of Traffic Engineering and Safety Trainer (TEST), M N Srihari.
TRACK RECORD
Before 1980s, Bangalore and Bangarpet were connected with a narrow gauge railway track connecting Yelahanka, Devanahalli, Kolar and KGF. In the late 80s, the track between Bangalore and Yelahanka was dismantled for gauge conversion.
Till 1995-96 a narrow gauge track between Yelahanka and Kolar existed which was upgraded in 2000.
There are two existing railway lines to reach the international airport.
One route starts from Bangalore city railway station and reaches Yelahanka going past Cantonment, Bangalore East, Byappanahalli.
The second route starts from Bangalore city and joins Yelahanka, passing through Malleswaram and Yeshwanthpur.
At the trumpet interchange that BIAL is building, the track runs along the airport wall for two km. A new track of two km is required to connect this to the airport terminal.