Speed rail picks up pace

peed rail picks up pace
Bengaluru,


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After initial hiccups, the High Speed Rail Link to the Bengaluru International Airport is finally picking up pace. The Rs 4,500 crore project to build a 33 km rail link to Devanahalli is expected to be ready for use by air travellers in about three years if things go according to plan, reports R. Jayaprakash The project is receiving the required attention as the CM appears to be convinced that it is necessary to serve people heading for BIA.

Airtravellers can hope to have a High Speed Rail Link to the Bengaluru International Airport in about three years if things go according to plan. The Rs 4,500 crore project to build a rail link over 33 km to Devanahalli is picking up pace with the KSIIDC completing a detailed report on its various aspects and calling for tenders to execute it
According to official sources the project is receiving the required attention as Chief Minister B.S
Yeddyurappa appears to be convinced that it is necessary to serve people heading for the Bengaluru International Airport and the dozens of SEZs and business parks that are coming up in and around Devanahalli
“After the initial hiccups, we are cruising smoothly
Even the Union government has cleared the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and has in principal agreed to pump in 20 per cent of the cost,” sources said
The Bengaluru Airport Rail Link (BARL), a special purpose vehicle floated to implement the project, has called for expression of interest and has also held a pre-bid meeting after an open invitation was sent to consultants and powerful consortiums in the country
“The bidders will be shortlisted by September, and after that the process of selection, evaluation and signing of concession agreement and financial closure will take place. The project work on the site will begin early next year. In three years we will be through with the project,” sources added
A senior official explained that passes would be provided only to daily commuters employed at BIA or any other establishment in Devanahalli
“Monthly passes for frequent flyers or anyone else is not possible,’’ he said.