TRAINto BIA on govt radar

TRAINto BIA on govt radar
Plans Afoot To Connect City, Cantonment Stations To Devanahalli
R Krishnakumar | TNN

Bangalore: As dream projects come unstuck, it is time to get real. After sitting on mega-buck connectivity plans for a long time, the government has revisited an old plan, to explore South Western Railway (SWR) tracks to link Bangalore with its airport in Devanahalli. The move assumes importance because the high speed rail link (HSRL) proposed between BRV parade ground and Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) is stalled, with no sign of moving forward.
According to sources, the ground work in this connection is on and letters have been sent to SWR and BIAL to bring the project on track. The draft plan is to connect the Bangalore City and Cantonment stations, on an additional line — for shuttle services as in cities like Chennai and Mumbai — through Yeshwantpur, Hebbal and Yelahanka, to BIA. The Agenda for Bangalore Infrastructure Development (ABIDe) task force is also learned to have commenced work on the shuttle service. According to official sources, doubts were raised during ABIDe meetings over feasibility of airport-related transportation projects with costs that exceed even the cost of the airport.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, convener of the task force, told TOI that efforts are on to make use of existing infrastructure before tapping the potential of projects like the Mono Rail. “A commuter rail line on the Railways’ tracks is something we are exploring. Before Mono Rail, we want to focus on the extension of Namma Metro, BRT (bus rapid transport) corridors and commuter rail,’’ he said.
FOUR TRAINS A DAY
According to M N Sreehari, traffic and transportation adviser to the government, the start-up plan is to run four trains — one up and down each from Bangalore City and Cantonment — to the airport, everyday. The first train of the day could move out of City station at 10.30 am. The expected time of travel is one hour.
The idea is to ply eight or 10-bogie trains, with maximum carrying capacity of 1,000 each. A plan is being worked out to link the commuter rail line to the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s feeder routes and services to the airport.
“The only major infrastructure we need is a station near the airport. We are looking at Yerthaganahalli (off the trumpet interchange near BIA) as a location for the station,’’ Sreehari said.
Akhil Agarwal, divisional regional manager, SWR, told TOI discussions are on for the shuttle services. “With the existing rolling stock, we can run these shuttle services between the city and the airport,’’ Agarwal said.
PLAN ON TRACK
Existing rail lines proposed to connect city and BIA Move comes after delay in HSRL Route through Yeshwantpur, Hebbal and Yelahanka ABIDe sees potential in commuter rail