Ray of hope for HSRL

Ray of hope for HSRL
BY R. JAYAPRAKASH
BENGALURU







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The government has been dilly-dallying over the High Speed Rail Link (HSRL) to Bengaluru International Airport for over five months. While bureaucratic circles wage a cold war over the project, the state government has developed cold feet towards the project.

However there is a ray of hope for the project now, with Delhi Metro’s E. Sreedharan supporting the HSRL. The government received a letter from the Metro rail pioneer strongly backing the project and it has invited him to make a presentation on the importance and viability of the project. The future of the Rs 4,000 crore High Speed Rail Link (HSRL), which is on the verge of being junked by the state government thanks to a division of opinion in bureaucratic circles, now hinges on Delhi Metro chief E. Sreedharan’s presentation on the project next week.

The rail link, first mooted under the Janata Dal (Secular)-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government in 2006 to provide connectivity to Bengaluru International Airport from MG Road, has been put on the back burner for more than five months now.

According to sources close to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, the project is being opposed by the Infrastructure Development Department.

“The Karnataka State Industrial Investment Development Corporation has been insisting that HSRL is much needed, taking cognisance of the need to provide proper transportation to BIA and the fact that there is no alternate to reach the airport except for Bellary Road,” a source said.

“But the Infrastructure Development Department believes that the project will create chaos around MG Road. It says the project is expensive,” the source added.

Delhi Metro chief Sreedharan carried out a detailed project report and has written to the state that the project should be executed, the source added.

“We respect his suggestion so we have asked him to give a presentation next week. A final call on the project will be taken by the state Cabinet only after that,” the source said.

IDD suggested that Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) work out a Metro Rail connection to BIA from Byappanahalli as an alternate to the HSRL. BMRCL on its part has conducted a feasibility study and submitted a proposal.

“The main contention of the Infrastructure Development Department is that the Bengaluru International Airport cost just Rs 2,500 crore and double the sum should not be spent to provide connectivity to the airport. The IDD feels the project will help only air passengers and not the common man,” the government source said.

“Personally I feel HSRL is a must for BIA as public sentiment regarding the airport is negative. We may not feel it is appropriate today but looking at the future, it is hard to imagine how people will reach the airport using just one road,” he said.