TWO CITIES, SAME HURDLES

TWO CITIES, SAME HURDLES
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad has made a successful take-off, while the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) is on course to doing the same. Although both offer state-of-the-art infrastructure, Anil Kumar M finds that both Hyderabad and Bangalore are grappling with one common problem — connectivity
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Hyderabad/Bangalore: Over the last seven years, there has been a healthy tussle between Bangalore and Hyderabad, each trying to showcase itself as the IT hub of the country. Starting 2008, the healthy spirit of competition spilt over to the aviation domain: Which will emerge as a major airline hub in the country?
The two new international airports —- Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Hyderabad —- are doing all they can to make their airport a desirable destination on India’s aviation map.
The infrastructure provided by promoters at the new airports —- Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) in case of Bangalore and GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) in case of Hyderabad —- is impressive. But connectivity poses a major roadblock to their commercial objectives.
The main topic of discussion in Hyderabad these days is how to reach the new airport. What efforts has the government made to provide connectivity to Shamshabad?
As in Bangalore, the government has woken up late in providing good connectivity, and citizens are worried. The good news, however, is that municipal authorities have started to clear all encroachments on the road that leads from Nagarjuna Circle to Masab Tank, one of the approach roads to Shamshabad airport.
The scene is no different in Bangalore. The BBMP, which planned to widen the approach roads to the airport long ago, has taken up the relevant works recently. In all probability, road works are expected to be complete within a month. In addition to widened roads, the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) will construct one elevated road and three fly-overs enroute to BIA. The five-km trumpet inter-change road connecting NH 7 to the airport terminal building will enable passengers to reach the airport within minutes. The state government plans an ambitious Rs 3,700 crore high-speed train connecting M G Road to BIA. Meanwhile, work on the magic boxes near the BDA office is still limping on.
And just like in Bangalore, there are umpteen bottlenecks leading to the new airport. The woes start right from heart of Hyderabad —- Banjara Hills Road Number 1 and Masab Tank. The P V Narasimha Rao (PVN) expressway, that has been conceived to open easy passageway to the airport near Mehdipatnam further compounds the problem, due to high population and traffic density.
The Expressway should have been ready to coincide with the opening of the airport. But the state government started late and now the Expressway is expected to be completed in next one year. With work on the PVN Expressway (that is elevated and rests on piers, many of which are being constructed at the site) in full swing, a lot of the road space has been reduced. From Mehdipatnam onwards to the Aramghar junction through Attapur (about 10 km), the situation is almost as bad as in front of the Rythu Bazar in Mehdipatnam. A mosque and a Maisamma temple in the middle of the road on this stretch are not aiding smooth movement either.
Just before Aramgahar junction, where a traveller to the new airport will have to take a right to come on to NH-7 (Bangalore highway), a slip road is being constructed through the premises of the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University to facilitate passenger movement. Another internal road in the university may be opened up for passenger movement. Once a passenger hits NH-7, his journey to the airport will be smooth. A 5-km main access road from NH 7 to the airport terminal building constructed by GMR will further smoothen the drive to the airport. All until the projects are implemented.
ROAD CONNECTIVITY IN HYDERABAD
Four-lane national highway NH-7 with service lanes (on its west) Four-lane Srisailam state highway (on its east) Proposed eight-lane 24.38 km access controlled Outer Ring Road (ORR) Four-lane 11.6 km long P V Narasimha Rao Elevated Expressway
DEDICATED AIRPORT SHUTTLE coaches have been pressed into service at designated locations in the city
City Locations — Shuttle Point Location Secunderabad — Adjacent to Keyes High School Greenlands — Ground floor, Paryatak Bhavan Charminar — Adjacent to Quli Qutub Shah Stadium, opposite City College Mehdipatnam — Adjacent to entrance of Sarojini Devi Hospital
Fare: Rs 95 per trip
RADIO TAXI service at the RGIA is provided by service providers like Meru and Easy cabs for the convenience of the passengers.
Fare: Rs 15 per km.