BMRCL mulls over Metro connectivity to BIA

BMRCL mulls over Metro connectivity to BIA
Bangalore, Jan 30, DHNS:

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is mulling over a proposal to establish Metro connectivity from Yeshwantpur to Bengaluru International Airport.

At an interactive meet organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCIC) on Thursday, BMRCL MD N Sivasailam said the proposal was being considered after a survey conducted by Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES), indicated that two thirds of the people going to the airport were coming from the Yeshwantpur-Yelahanka areas.

The proposed area would cover stations beginning from Yeshwantpur and head towards the railway line and then go underground all the way to Mathikere with an exit at BEL. Thereafter it would take a left turn towards Yelahanka and another stretch of underground on the right to Kannur. From there, it would be elevated all the way to the airport.

Four stops planned

A total of four stops were planned at the airport including one for existing terminal and one for the proposed terminal. The entire stretch would be 33 km in length and the cost estimated for this project is Rs 7,500 crore.

Sivasailam said they would advise the Government to allow this stretch to proceed on a Public Private Participation (PPP) model, where the concrete structures would be owned by the Government, while the rolling stock would be owned by the private operators.

First station

Meanwhile, Swastik near Majestic will be the first station to be constructed on a PPP model with Mantri Developers. The station, which split the surrounding Mantri property in two, will now be developed by Mantri and the BMRCL has entered into a revenue sharing agreement with them.

Sivasailam also spoke about the BMRCL’s plans to plant saplings in a catchment area owned by the BWSSB near Tippagondanahalli reservoir. He said they faced difficulties planting saplings in other areas and as a result had chosen this area to develop green space. The area which measures 350 acres would be bigger than Lalbagh or Cubbon park when developed, he said.