In 2013, you can reach BIA in 25 minutes

In 2013, you can reach BIA in 25 minutes
Bangalore April 26 DH News Service

In all probability, work on the proposed High Speed Rail Link (HSRL) to the international airport will begin in February 2011.

A detailed project report is ready in this regard. By this June end, the State Government will finalise the concessionaire and award the work. If things go as scheduled air passengers can reach Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) in Devanahalli in flat 25 minutes from Mahatma Gandhi Road by December 2013.
Besides, according to a rough estimate, the rail connectivity to the airport will save 15 million litre of fuel per year.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, on Monday, reviewed the progress of the project. The government has shortlisted five firms for the project - Pioneer Infratech Pvt Ltd & Siemens Projects Ventures, Lanco Infratech Ltd & OHL Concesiones, L&T Transco Ltd, Reliance Infrastructure Ltd &CSR and ETD - ITD Cem - Soma Enterprises joint venture. One of these will be awarded the project. The government will bear the cost of the land (Rs 532 crore) and will have 26 per cent of shares in the consortium. V Madhu, Principal Secretary of Infrastructure Development Department, said “The consortium requires at least 33 months to commission the project once the work is awarded in August 2010. It needs four-five months to mobilise funds. And, in all probability, work will begin by February 2011. The KIADB has begun the land acquisition process for the project.”

The project includes construction of City Air Terminal (CAT) at Police Parade Grounds on MG Road. Air passengers can check in and collect boarding passes at CAT and at Hebbal station. Passengers can also board the rail at Hebbal. The design speed of the rail is 160 km per hour, however, the maximum operating speed will be 145 km per hour. It will cover 33.39 km of distance in 25 minutes.

Initially the frequency will be around six trains per hour. For every 10 minutes a train will leave CAT, said Madhu. The service will be available for19 hours a day and the remaining five hours are meant for cleaning and routine check ups. “Gradually frequency will be increased to eight minutes, six minutes and three minutes and number of trains per hour will be 20”, he added. Passengers’ fare in HSRL varies from Rs 100 to Rs 200. From CAT to the airport the fare would be Rs 200. Besides, from Hebbal to airport it is Rs 150 and from Yelahanka it is Rs 100.

State Govt considering 2nd phase of Metro Rail

Bangalore: The State Government is now trying to give a push to the second phase of Metro Rail project, which may require an investment of Rs 15,000 crore. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the second phase and it is expected to be completed in a month’s time.

The project came up for discussion at the CM’s meeting on Monday.

Later, briefing the media, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa said the Metro Rail network in the second phase would connect Hesarghatta, Puttenahalli, Mysore Road junction, ITPL, IIMB and Nagawara.

“The project is still in a preliminary stage. The government will take its decision after studying it in detail,” he said.

The expenditure on the first phase was around Rs 11,000 crore and for the second phase, the government has to provide Rs 15,000 crore.

The officers in the meeting are said to have suggested the CM to take up the project on a public, private partnership model so that the government could bear only the cost of the land.