For whom the toll works

For whom the toll works
By: Chetan RDate: 2008-08-20

Bangalore:

MAPPED PLAN: The elevated highway is expected to run almost parallel to the Metro Rail

State government may call off the six-lane elevated highway project to Bangalore International Airport (BIA), which will make travel to the airport costlier.

The 21-kilometre highway project undertaken by NHAI (National Highway Authority of India), was scheduled to take off by December.

Pressure on CM

BMRCL officials are mounting pressure on the chief minister to set aside the elevated highway project as both the highway and the metro rail run parallel to each other.

Officials fear number of people taking the elevated road to BIA would be more compared to the metro rail. This is because the elevated highway is toll-free and metro is a charged service.

"CM has held meetings with BMRCL officials. He has assured necessary initiatives to call off the elevated highway project," said transport minister R Ashok.

BMRCL will take up 34-kilometer high-speed rail link project that connects BRV grounds to BIA.

Opposition

CM Yeddyurappa has reportedly given his consent in this regard. "CM has agreed to BMRCL officials demand, which is not right. I will object as both the services are essential," said Ashok.

Infrastructure experts also consider BMRCLs stand unscientific.

"City requires both elevated road and high speed rail. Elevated road will help those who cant afford to travel in high-speed rail. Moreover, BMRCL officials explanation that elevated road running parallel to metro cuts down their revenue is baseless, as elevated road doesnt go parallel to high speed rail. The metro rail shouldnt be allowed to gain profit at the cost of another service," said traffic expert M N Shrihari.

NHAI to decide

NHAI will decide on the elevated highway project in the highways review meeting on 23 Aug."The project is scheduled to take off in December. But due to some confusion, we will decide on this in review meeting scheduled this month. We are open for both options. If they agree we will go ahead. If they dont want, we wont," said K H Muniyappa, union minister of state for highways.

A comparitive study between the two projects

High-speed rail
Elevated road

Length 34 kilometres 21 kilometres
Cost Rs 3,716 crore Rs 1,000 crore
Work Scheduled to Start December 2008 December 2008
Connecting points BRV grounds - BIA Outer Ring Road Banaswadi - BIA