Rail link work from May ’09

Rail link work from May ’09
BY CHANDRASHEKAR G.
BENGALURU







Article Rank










Work on the pro posed High Speed Rail Link (HSRL) from the city to the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) is gaining momentum and is expected to commence from mid May.

The project, at a cost of Rs 3,700 crore, is likely to be completed in three years and two months from the date of commencement of work, said HSRL authorities. The rail link helps to cover the 33km distance (between the city and BIA) in just 25 minutes. Pre-qualification meeting was held on September 15 which was attended by national and international consortiums.

“Around 27 firms have evinced interest in participating in the tender process and request for qualification (RFQ) will be issued shortly. A competent consortium is expected to be shortlisted by March end. The work commences within 45 days from the date of awarding the contract,” added sources.

Another important feature of the project is to integrate the HSRL with that of Metro Rail and Mono Rail links for accessibility to a large chunk of air passengers. The HSR will be integrated with the Mono Rail at Hebbal and Metro Rail at Minsk Square and Yelahanka.

The state government has requested the Union government for viability gap funding (VGF) to the tune of 20 per cent of the project cost and land acquisition. It is an under standing between the Union and state government to seek financial assistance from the Union government. The Centre is expected to confirm the proposal in the next two weeks, the sources said.

“HSRL has proposed check-in counters for BIA at BRV grounds on Cubbon Road. The rail link would be established under the Public-PrivatePartnership (PPP) module.

HSRL has plans to run 10 trains at a frequency of 10 minutes to ferry passengers from the check-instation at Cubbon Road to the inter-nodal transport station at Hebbal. From Hebbal, the HSRL will move to Yelahanka and will finally reach the BIA at a maximum speed of 160km per hour. “Two city air terminals have been planned, where air passengers can check in and take boarding passes at the Cubbon Road and beyond Hebbal flyover.