Another mono rail proposal

Another mono rail proposal

MONO A consortium’s new bid once again opens the debate over its feasibility

R Krishnakumar | TNN


Bangalore: Hardly five months after the state government put four mono rail corridors on the fast track, another mono rail proposal — this time, for core city areas — is finding its way into the planners’ agenda. A detailed project report (DPR), prepared by the Scomi-Geodesic consortium for a new mono rail line, is being scrutinized by the government.
According to sources, the technical proposal made by the consortium has been cleared, with changes recommended. The promoters are in discussion with the government over the funding modalities. Even as a debate is on, over the relevance of mono rail in Bangalore that’s already sitting on a host of proposed rail and bus transport projects, the promoters are promising a sleek, fast, non-intrusive mode of transportation.
The proposal has identified areas including Yeshwantpur, Mahalakshmi Layout, Basaveshwaranagar, Koramangala and Banashankari for the rail line’s first phase, planned on about 33 km. “If our mono rail project in Kuala Lumpur is taken as reference, we can complete the first phase here in three to four years,’’ Kanesan Veluppillai, senior vice-president (global marketing) of the Malaysia-based Scomi group, told TOI.
The promoters estimate Rs 150 crore per kilometre (excluding land acquisition costs) as the project cost. It’s early days to detail how the cost would translate for the commuter but according to the promoters, with the advantage of sharp turns, options to tower over structures and soundless, lesspolluting operation, mono rail has a case to complement Namma Metro.
“Further, the line will offer an alternative to car users who, according to studies, have reservations about travelling in crowded buses. This, in effect, means that a lot of cars could be off the roads, in turn, increasing the bus frequency and speed,’’ Srinidhi Anantharaman, MD, Geodesic Techniques, said.
INTEGRATION
TROUBLE
There are serious concerns over the manner in which plans on mass transportation projects in Bangalore integrate with other modes of transport. With the mono rail pitched as a feeder line for Metro, the concerns look more real. The promoters, though, point out that the line will be integrated with the BMTC’s proposed traffic and transit management centres (TTMCs).
It was in August, 2008 that chief minister B S Yeddyurappa announced the government’s move to identify four mono rail corridors connecting the city’s peripheries, on a stretch of 60 km. According to official sources, a decision on the promoters has not been taken yet. MONO RAIL FEATURES 6-car trains (1.5-minute frequency) carry 30,000 per hour per direction
Minimum turn radius of 50 metres
With rubber tyres, coaches run on a single beam in the middle of the road
Standard elevation of about 10 metres
Cost estimated at about Rs 150 crore per km QUOTE HANGER


Mono rail has the advantage of short turns and the ability to run on narrow roads. It has a design speed of 80-100 kmph and comes with a sleek look. The new mono rail proposal is for an alignment of loops, linking areas within the city. — M N Sreehari | TRAFFIC AND
TRANSPORTATION EXPERT



Mono rail and similar high-investment projects are fine but the priority has to be on making existing infrastructure better. The immediate focus should be on monitoring ongoing projects more closely and ensuring that the timelines are met. — Brig (retd.) R S Murthy | PRESIDENT, HSR SECTOR 2 RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION



These are long-term projects the government has to work on. The focus is not misplaced because both high-investment projects and short-term projects can be taken up at the same time. The decision on the right mode of transportation, though, should be left to the experts. — D Muralidhar | PRESIDENT, FKCCI