How viable is Okalipuram 8-lane project

Beneficiaries Are Divided Over The Proposed Corridor 

The proposed Okalipuram road-widening project was suddenly dusted off the shelves after over four years,when the Jagadish Shettar government laid its foundation stone last week.

If electoral compulsions assembly polls are due in May next are behind the sudden move,there is need for a rethink.For,the targeted beneficiaries are divided over the viability of the project.While a section of residents of west Bangalore believe the project is necessary for smooth travel to CBD areas,others see it as a shortsighted move which may not benefit anyone at all.

At the heart of the divide is the Namma Metro project,which scythes through a part of western Bangalore.Metros northern line passes through Malleswaram and Rajajinagar,while the western line passes through Magadi Road and Vijaynagar.

Save Bangalore Committees Rajajinagar sub-committee had urged the government to go slow on the Okalipuram road widening plans till the Metro work is over and commuting patterns evolved.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) estimates that if the Metro corridors between Peenya and Majestic and Mysore Road and Majestic start operating,they would ferry 10 lakh people a day,automatically reducing the load on the roads leading to CBD, said Pratibha Kumari,who spearheads the Rajajinagar sub-committees civic campaigns.

Kumari hinted that lobbies like corporators,contractors and politicians might want to make the most before the elections.There are also issues about people who will be displaced by the work.There are a few shops and houses near Abhimani Prakashana on Dr Rajkumar Road who will have to suffer the most.BBMP offers transferable development rights (TDR) and not compensation,unlike the Metro which has given compensation to people who were displaced.TDR is less than the market value of the property, she added.

Residents of Basaveshwaranagar feel the Okalipuram work will provide easy accessibility to Majestic and KR Circle,without having to go to Vijaynagar Metro station or Rajajinagar Metro station using feeder services.

It is good that they widen this small stretch of road and benefit thousands of commuters and residents of the residential and commercial areas.It will reduce their travel time to a large extent, said Sharad chandra H Shah,vice-president of Basaveshwaranagar residents welfare association.

WHATS THE PROJECT 

The Okalipuram eight-lane corridor will widen Vatal Nagaraj Road stretch between Okalipuram Junction and Fountain Circle,also known as Khoday's Circle,near the City railway station 

• It will be part of the 6.6km along Bhashyam Circle-KR Circle signal-free corridor 
• It will comprise eight loops and 272.92m underpass and two flyover sections 
• An 18-month deadline has been set for completion of the project.South Western Railways has agreed to give 12,818 sqm land for the project 

CORRIDOR OF COMPLEXITIES 

FOR: 

Basaveshwaranagar residents say the project will provide easy accessibility to Majestic and KR Circle,without having to go to Vijaynagar or Rajajinagar Metro stations using feeder services 

AGAINST: 

Others say once Metro links Peenya and Majestic,and Mysore Road and Majestic,it would ferry 10 lakh people a day,reducing the load on roads leading to CBD.Also,the project would cause displacement

WILL IT HELP While a section of residents believes the project is necessary for a speedy commute to CBD areas,others see it as a short-sighted move

BIAL elevated Expressway Update

Estimated Date of Opening :June 2013

BMTC buses to get tech edge

Travelling by BMTC buses in Bengaluru may soon be a hassle-free experience. The corporation’s entire fleet will adopt the Integrated Bus Transit (IBT) System which was implemented in Mysore last month for the first time in the country.

The BMTC has planned to call for tenders to install the IBT system in the coming days. This means the passengers at most of the bus stands will be able to get real-time information of buses, location, seating availability and a host of other information.

Once implemented, the project has the potential to increase patronage for public transport system in Bengaluru, transport planners feel.

Besides display screens at bus stops, the system also stresses on having in-vehicle display system and automated voice announcement system in all buses. The IBT system also offers services like SMS queries, commuter-friendly website and a dedicated help desk for commuters, a BMTC official said.

Each bus stop will have a television screen showing arrival time of buses and a map on which one can see the location of a bus. “All buses will be mounted with GPS software and drivers will be given head sets to communicate with the control room in case of a breakdown. The system will also help in smooth movement of buses since the roads where buses ply are monitored at the control room,” the official said.

No entry for drunk commuters in Metro

Partygoers can be happy as Namma Metro has extended the operations on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. But think before you board a Metro train after partying, as Metro officials have made it clear that the passengers, who are heavily drunk and found to be misbehaving, would not be allowed to board the trains.

On December 24 and 25, Bangalore Metro rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) will run extended services from 10 am till midnight. On the New Year’s Eve, Metro trains will run till 2 am. The people will be frisked to prevent them from carrying any objectionable material, and observed whether they were creating nuisance.

A BMRCL spokesman said, “We are aware that the people will board Metro trains after partying. We cannot completely ban those who have consumed alcohol. But if we find anyone indecent or heavily drunk at the security point, we will not allow them to board the train. Passengers will also be checked whether they are carrying alcohol or any other items which are not permitted inside the Metro train as per the rule.”

Though BMRCL officials do not have breath analysers like the traffic police do, the security men have been trained to keep an eye on mischief mongers. Every passenger boarding the train would be checked thoroughly, he said.

“We may also deploy more security and manpower to keep a watch on the activities of people entering the Metro stations. Anyone flouting the rules will immediately be taken into custody,” the officer said.

The road not open to us

Not too long ago, when confronted by public outcry against the distance to the Bengaluru International Airport ( BIA), that is 40 kms away from the city, the government came out with a flurry of solutions- a high speed rail, an expressway and alternate routes.While nothing has come of the first two projects, a fully developed road to the airport, pegged as an alternate to the Bellary Road (NH 7), is ready for use, but inexplicably remains closed to the public even three years after it was laid!

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 120 crore , the 26-km long road beginning at Hennur, goes all the way up to BIA via Thanisandra, Bairathi, Chagalatti and Bagalur and could easily handle over 30 per cent of the traffic currently heading to the airport via Bellary Road . Wide and easy to use except in two villages where it tapers because of land acquisition issues, the road shortens the distance to the airport by eight kms and best of all, it is toll-free. The question that begs an answer then is : why hasn't it been thrown open for public use?

There are two other roads too that could take the pressure off Bellary Road by another five to 10 per cent as they provide alternative routes to the airport for people from Whitefield, Electronic City and Thanisandra, but they too remain in disuse as there is no accessibility to BIAL from its southern end. In the meanwhile Navyuga, the company, that is still building the elevated road to the international airport continues to collect huge amounts as toll from commuters heading to it.

While the Karnataka assembly unanimously voted to rename the airport recently, not one legislator raised the gross injustice being done to commuters by the absence of these alternate roads that could make their journey to it a lot easier and cheaper.

Ask Dr Rajkumar Katri, secretary of the infrastructure development department, a stakeholder in BIAL, and he says his department has always favoured more connecting roads to the airport and so gladly financed the project to build the road from Hennur to it . “The chief secretary has called for a meeting of all the agencies concerned to get the road functional. We are working towards getting the necessary clearances,’’ he said.

But the explanation for the delay in opening of the road is dismissed by a retired bureaucrat who was part of the project. “The road is ready but you have held it closed for three years. It could hugely help people from East and Central Bengaluru going to the airport, but you are not opening it. On the other hand you have allowed Navyuga to collect a toll of almost Rs 10 lakhs a day even before the elevated project is ready. What clearance are we talking about? The road has been laid by the government, which is itself a stakeholder in BIAL. They are just passing the buck,’’ he maintains.

CM FLAGS OFF SIGNAL FREE CORRIDOR.

COMMUTERS CURSE BBMP & MYSORE ROAD.

Lot of space to sit,but none to keep luggage in new airport buses

Passengers baffled by removal of luggage racks from BMTCs Volvo fleet plying between city and airport 

When the Bangalore International Airport (BIA) was unveiled in 2008,the cynosure of all eyes was the Vayu Vajra fleet of Volvo buses introduced by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).The buses were described as air-passenger friendly as they were equipped with exclusive luggage space,played soothing music and came with soft-cushion seats.But four years down the line,the swanky fleet has turned passenger-unfriendly.First,the soft cushions were replaced with the ones that are found in ordinary blue-white BMTC buses.Next,the television screens and radio sets started disappearing.The latest feature to disappear is the exclusive metal racks meant for luggage.

Earlier,I could monitor my luggage by placing them on the racks.But now,I have to dump it in the aisle.I worry about my luggage being carried away by some other passenger getting off midway,increasing my anxiety level, said Sneha Ram,a marketing executive who uses the fleet to travel to HSR Layout.If you get a seat at the rear,you cannot keep an eye on your baggage.The problem gets worse at night when the lights inside the bus are switched off.With suitcases and bags fitted with wheels,the probability of them rolling over towards the rear door is high when the bus is swerving from one side to another.Many of my friends,who carry several bags,prefer to board a taxi. 

The metal racks vanished when BMTC replaced the red-coloured buses with BS4 eco-friendly green-coloured buses.Sources in the BMTC said,Earlier,the space near the rear door was hardly used.Hence,we offered it to store baggage.The metal racks were placed with seats in the new buses to earn some extra income. 

Transport minister R Ashoka said,Even in the old buses,passengers chose to keep the luggage near their seats or at the centre of the bus near the door.The buses were modified to accommodate more passengers."

However,passengers are unhappy.

I think the minister should board one of the buses to see how luggage gets piled up.If these buses are exclusively for airport users,it should be designed keeping their needs in mind, said one passenger.

The metal racks for luggage on the old red-coloured buses (below) have been replaced by seats (middle) in the new green-coloured buses (top) 

MG Road boulevard along Metro misses December deadline

Bangaloreans may have to wait for two more months to walk along the planned boulevard on MG Road. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), which had promised to open the boulevard in December 2012, has said that it needs more time as at least 20 per cent of the work is still pending.

A senior official from the BMRCL told that it will take two more months for the boulevard to be opened to the public. “We have experienced delays in the setting up of the soil bed for the green space and the shifting of utilities before that. 

As of now, most civic works are finished and workers are busy giving finishing touches to the ramps and public utility spaces including the museum, the gallery, the children play area, the amphitheatre and toilets at both the ends of the boulevard,” he said.

When Deccan Herald reporters visited the work site on Monday, it was found that work on the interiors of the structures was yet to begin. Also, the workers were still preparing the ground for the walkway in front of the boulevard.

“It will take at least one more month to provide the finishing touches. Construction of the walkway with additional structures will take at least 45 days,” said an engineer at the work site.

During the inauguration of the Urban Square near Brigade junction this September, N Sivasailam, the Managing Director of the BMRCL had said that the boulevard would be ready for inauguration in December 2012.

M Nagaraja, the deputy director, Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited, which has been given the contract for the boulevard, said he was confident of completing the boulevard by the end of January. 

“Most structural works are over. What remains is the presentation part wherein greenery and water body installation along the walk way is being constructed. If all goes well, the boulevard will be ready for Republic Day (January 26),” he added.

Nagaraj revealed that as an added feature to the boulevard, plans have been made to install a musical fountain which will be located nearby the children play area. “The boulevard in its new look will come with several other surprises for visitors,” he said. 

The boulevard will have a two-tier walkway that will connect to the concourse of the MG Road Metro Station. Landscaping along the space will be done by the Horticulture department. Flowering trees such as Copper Pod, Jacaranda, Gulmohar, Tree of Gold, Pink Tabebuia, Java Cassia are expected to be planted here.

BIA rail link hits dead-end

 The big-ticket high-speed rail link to the Bengaluru International Airport has been given a quiet burial.

The Rs 4,000-crore high-speed rail connectivity to BIA from MG Road, the only alternative to the road, was proposed in 2007. The government had even floated the Bengaluru Airport Rail Link Corporation (BARC) to implement the project. Five years after setting up the corporation and spending crores of rupees in preparing detailed project report and running the offices, the project has been forgotten.

Ironically, though BARC exists with senior civil servants, it is not doing anything connected with the project. A top official in the secretariat told Deccan Chronicle that BARC is working on light rail and mono rail proposals, defeating the very purpose of setting up the body. “On the instructions of state government, the entire project was handed over to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation a year ago. BARC is alive only in name. We have nothing to do with the project”,' he said.

BMRC chief N. Sivasailam said that after taking over the project, he prepared a report on feasibility of the project, which was sent it to the Urban Development Department. “All I can say is, it is up to the government to take a call on the project. We did a techno-feasibility study on the high speed rail project and it is now before the UDD secretary. We have made some changes, but we cannot disclose the details”,' he told this newspaper.

However, sources privy to the development in the secretariat made some startling revelations. “BMRC wants a Metro connectivity to the airport. It has in its report said it is not possible to implement high speed rail cutting across the city as it would criss-cross the Metro Rail alignment. A dedicated Metro service could be more feasible from Hebbal to BIA. Hebbal can be the transport hub making it a multi-modal transport centre. In other words, we can say that the high speed rail link has been scrapped, or at least that is what has been suggested by the BMRC”,' sources said.

The BARC had in its DPR suggested check-in facility at MG Road and Hebbal and had envisaged a 25-minute ride to BIA with trains running every 10 minutes. The state government had proposed the project after coming under severe criticism over setting up BIA 40 km from the city without providing connectivity except for the Bellary Road

Work On Hennur Flyover part of signal free Corridor Stops midway

Work on Gali Anjaneya temple flyover reaches final stage

The flyover near Gali Anjaneya Temple, which was conceived to mitigate flooding and traffic problems on Mysore Road, is nearing completion after seven years.

The ‘ill-planned’ flyover, first proposed in 2006, is now in its last stretch of completion. The problem of the exit ramp going into the storm water drain is currently being resolved. 

The bridge, which was to have evaded the storm water drain by being at a height of 30 feet to 35 feet at the Chord Road end, has plunged into the drain as it approaches the Temple towards the end of the ramp. 

This raises the possibility of water and sewage accumulated in the Vrishabhavathi valley overflowing onto the carriage way. 

According to officials in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) engineering department, a difference of 1.98 meters between the exit ramp and the storm water drain may cause water to gush onto the flyover ramp — which has been a cause of concern. 

“It has now been decided to increase the height of the ramp using steel and gravel,” explained a senior BBMP official.

Yet another cause of concern is the ramp being too steep for vehicles to negotiate the flyover exit. 

“For this, there is a proposal to increase the height of the Mysore Road and bring it to the same level once the flyover is constructed,” the official explained.

According to the Engineer-in-Chief, B T Ramesh, the possibilities of early completion of the project were being explored. “We will take all measures to mitigate the technical problems. We hope that the entire project will be completed by January,” he said.

Project costs

In November 2006, the project to connect West of Chord Road (Deepanjalinagar with Mysore Road) was awarded to the National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) Limited at a cost of Rs 18.30 crore. 

While the flyover was originally scheduled for completion in February 2008, a technical flaw saw the project being abandoned for nearly three years after reaching its final stage. 

Experts had warned the Palike that the flyover would worsen the situation at the temple which often witnesses flooding during days of heavy rain.

Nice Hikes Toll Rates

Work on 8-lane fantasy to begin

Tomorrow,the CM will flag off the signal-free corridor project which is supposed to be completed in 24 months 

After dilly-dallying for over six years,the state government has chosen to kick start the much-talked about eight-lane signal free corridor between Okalipuram and Khoday's Circle on December 20.Chief minister Jagadish Shettar will lay the foundation stone for the project.The cabinet approved the project on September 21 earlier this year.The major hurdle was taking over land belonging to the railways.The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was able to clear the hurdle after the state government entered into an agreement with the railways.Speaking to Media,engineer-inchief B T Ramesh said,The BBMP has agreed to give alternative land to the railways near Binny mill.The eight-lane signal-free corridor will benefit traffic heading from Tumkur Road to the city centre. In the other direction,the project is expected to smoothe the ride of commuters travelling from Majestic to Rajajinagar,Vijayanagar and Malleswaram.The passenger car per unit (per hour) at Okalipuram junction varies from 14,000 to 20,000.

ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING PROJECTS IN THE CITY 

Officials describe the project as the most complicated of all civic works in the city.It is being implemented in coordination with the railways,BBMP and BESCOM.It includes a unidirectional underpass (272.92 metres) from Malleswaram to Rajajinagar, a flyover(233.72m) from Malleswaram to Bangalore City Railway Station (towards Majestic),an eight-lane corridor at ground-level (665m) from Rajajinagar to Majestic,and a unidirectional flyover (222.55 m) from Rajajinagar to the railway station.The cost is expected to be 115 crore,out of which 102 crore is for civic works.

Out of 115 crore,BBMP will be handing over 28 crore to the railways,which will construct two rail under-bridges.BBMP has acquired 251 sq metres of private land and 12,818 sq metres of railway land for the project.The project will be executed by Simplex,which is already working on metro rail projects.

THE SMOOTH BIT BEGINS HERE: This is the point where motorists coming from Rajajinagar will enter the signal-free corridor (left) leading to Majestic 

BBMP will spend 30L to paint underpasses

Three underpasses that have turned an eyesore with paintings fading away and sculptures being chipped away in the central part of the city will get a face lift: The BBMP has ordered painting of the walls.

The underpasses are the one near Windsor Manor on Sankey Road,that near Cauvery Theatre and the one at Mehkri Circle on Bangalore International Airport (BIA) Road.They will be painted at a cost of Rs 30 lakh.Interestingly,this was one of the files cleared by BBMP commissioner Rajneesh Goel before he went on leave.

But questions have been raised by corporators about Goels beautification drive as it comes at a time when these netas are crying hoarse over lack of funds for implementing development works in their wards.

The BBMPs road infrastructure department had proposed to take up painting work and small repair works at the Cauvery junction underpass and Windsor Manor underpass by spending Rs 15.75 lakh.Another proposal was made to paint and repair the Mehri Circle underpass at a cost of Rs 17.50 lakh.As soon as the file was sent to the commissioner,he approved them.

When contacted,road Infrastructure departments superintendent K T Nagaraj said,We have to take up the maintenance work of the underpasses to keep them fit.We have to paint them and take up repairs.We will be using anti-carbonate paint on the structures to prevent dust from settling. 

BJP ruling party leader in the council,N Nagaraju alleged that Goel had not accorded priority to works related to the common people.Approving the painting work at underpasses is not at all necessary when works like pothole filling and garbage disposals are priority. 

The citys first magic box underpass at Cauvery junction was built in 2008 using cost-effective technology in 35 days by spending Rs 1.5 crore.The Mehkri Circle underpass was constructed by BDA in 1999.

Work on Okalipuram Signal Free Corridor Finally Flagged off

Peripheral Ring Road gets cabinet approval 1,028-Crore Project Will Decongest Traffic,Spruce Up Bangalore Northeast

Belgaum: At the fag end of its tenure,the BJP government approved the much-touted Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) peripheral ring road (PRR) project on Monday.

The cabinet meeting gave the goahead for the Rs 1,028-crore phase-1 PRR after deliberations.Said to be one of the biggest infrastructure projects after Metro Rail in Bangalore,the 65-km phase-1 PRR project will be concentrated in the northeast of Bangalore starting from Tumkur Road to Hosur Road via Bellary Road and Old Madras Road.The project received administrative approval in April 2007 in two phases for a total length of 116km.The earlier plan was to hand over construction of PRR phase-1 to NHAI.

Even though Bangalore has an Outer Ring Road (ORR),road infrastructure in northeast of the city have not been upgraded to international standards for upholding the status of the city as a whole.In order to relieve traffic on the ORR and major road networks of the city,PRR of 65-km at a radial distance of between 10km and 17km from the existing ORR has been taken up, a senior minister said after the cabinet meeting.

As this stretch is expected to one of the biggest commercial hubs in the city,the cabinet approved the road width (ROW) of PRR to 60-75 metres."In view of future traffic increase and more densified development around the city,100-metre wide corridor will be developed on the PRR, sources said.

The cabinet also decided that instead of cash compensation,developed land in the ratio of 40:60 as adopted by BDA in the formation of Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda layout would be given to land losers.According to the minister,compensation will be given on the available land or adjoining Dr Shivaram Karanth layout.

Interestingly,considering the experience of Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project,the cabinet warned BDA that it should not get into acquiring land for project concessionaries so as to bridge the viability gap.It was told to rather explore other avenues of resource mobilization.The BDA was also given the freedom to approach Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for financial assistance or execute the project through public private participation (PPP) or through town planning schemes.

THE COST 

Rs 10 cr per km, for 65 km 

Rs 650 cr 10 grade separators at Rs 40 cr each 

Rs 400 cr 5 road overbridges/ underbridges at Rs 20 cr each 

Rs 100 cr 29 pedestrian underpass at Rs 2 cr each Rs 58 cr 

Total cost comes to Rs 1,028 cr

Metro phase II gathers pace

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is busy preparing the ground for phase II of Namma Metro, even as the State government awaits the Centre’s clearance of the last set of documents. 

The detailed project report (DPR) for phase II has already been approved. BMRCL sources told Deccan Herald that the designs for viaducts and stations under various stretches of phase II were expected by September 2012. “We have already floated tenders for Detailed Design Consultancy (DDC) Services for construction of viaducts and also extension of stations under reaches of phase-I. Recently, we made minor changes to eligibility criteria for agencies under qualifying requirements for DDC for Reach 5 (RV Road station to Bommasandra station). We are expecting the designs for stations by September and the ground work for phase II is expected to begin by the end of September 2012,” said a senior BMRCL official. 

Another BMRCL official said geo-technical strength testing began recently on the Mysore Road stretch, with the corridor being extended from Nayandahalli to Kengeri under phase II. 

Metro Phase II, which includes four extension lines and two new lines with a total length of 72 km, is estimated to cost Rs 26,405 crore. Phase II is expected to be completed by 2017-18. Once both phases of Namma Metro are complete, there will be smooth connectivity from Majestic to Whitefield in the east, Kengeri in the west, BIEC along Tumkur Road in the north and Anjanapura Township in the south. Also, two new lanes under Phase II, namely from Jayanagar to Electronics City and Nagavara to Gottigere are expected to prove useful. 

Unlike phase-I, the second phase of Namma Metro will come with a speciality, in terms of electrification. While the electrification for all the corridors of phase-I is through the ‘third rail system’ (wherein electrical supply runs next to the track), the Metro stretch between IIMB and Nagavara in phase II will have overhead electrified network, with electrical lines installed overhead. “We have decided to go for overhead electrical system on this stretch as it will have a 15-km tunnel,” said an official. 

Super Highway back from hibernation as poll plank

Tale of a prestigious project: Cost up by 25%,road cut by half 

Bidarana Agrahara where land has been acquired for the PRR 

Due to cost escalation,the 100-metre carriageway has been proposed to be trimmed to 50-60 metres in its new avatar.The surplus land will be developed and given back to the project-affected people in lieu of monetary compensation. 

The BJP government in the state has decided to take the highway to next year's assembly polls.So,the 100-metre Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) by the BDA,touted as the Super Highway of Bangalore,is back from hibernation after nine long years,although its size will be shrunk by almost half owing to the high costs.. When the big-budget project was conceptualized in 2003,and finally got cabinet approval in 2007,the project cost of this 116-km ring road,inclusive of compensation,had been estimated at Rs 3,600 crore.

Now,after gathering dust for nine years,the government wants to put it in on fast-track mode before the assembly elections are announced.But due to cost escalation and BDA's poor financial health,the 100-metre width may have to be chopped to 50-60 metres. The surplus land will be developed and given back to the land losers in lieu of monetary compensation.The re-drawn detailed project report will soon be placed before the state cabinet for approval.

In 2007,the state cabinet cleared the project and gave the go-ahead for land acquisition.Back then,the PRR was touted as the costliest ring road in the state it stood at Rs 31 crore per km as the land cost in the periphery had shot up and the project also had underpasses and changeovers added to its alignment.Now,in 2012,the project cost has crossed Rs 4,500 crore and before the poll vault,the powers that be want to showcase PRR as their signature project for Bangalore and have set the ball in motion for its implementation.

The project has been re-drawn the eight-lane carriageway stretching up to 100 metres will be trimmed down to 50 or 60 metres. The idea behind this is to give back the project-affected people a portion of the developed land,left surplus by the curtailment of PRR's width,instead of monetary compensation under the land-to land compensation scheme. BDA commissioner T Sham Bhat told Bangalore Mirror,The NICE corridor is only 25 metres. It was felt that the proposed 100-metre carriageway was not required.We are getting another DPR done to trim it down to 50-60 metres. Since we have already acquired the land and not paid compensation yet,the unused land in the circuit will be developed and given back to the project-affected people as compensation.The new project note will be brought before the state cabinet for its approval. The question staring the government in the face is: Who will implement the project It finding no takers in the Global Investors Meet obviously meant that the PPP model is ruled out.The authorities are exploring the option of borrowing from an international bank.

NEW COMPENSATION SCHEME 

According to the land-to-land compensation scheme,instead of monetary compensation,the land losers can be given back a chunk of developed land for every acre,8,000 sq ft which they can either use or sell off at the going market rate.

Had this scheme not been in place,we would have had to procure more land for compensation package.Since we are trimming down the carriageway,we need not invest again in land again,and thus bring down the project cost, Bhat said.

SUPER HIGHWAY 

About 10 km away from the existing Outer Ring Road,the 116-km PRR will connect Tumkur Road,Magadi Road,Mysore Road,Bellary Road,Old Madras Road,Hosur Road and Kanakapura Road.The project will be taken up in two phases.Phase I,covering 65 km,will encompass the Tumkur Road-Hosur Road crossing,Bellary Road,Old Madras Road,Varthur Road and Sarjapur Road.The 51-km Phase II will link the Hosur Road -Tumkur Road crossing,Kanakapura Road,Mysore Road and Magadi Road.The project will use up 3,500 acres of land.

ADVANTAGE HYDERABAD 

With the proposed shrinking of the PRR,Bangalore would be losing out to Hyderabad,its traditional rival when it comes to infrastructure development.The Andhra Pradesh capital has an eight-lane highway,said to be one of its kind in the country.The PRR,at its full 100-metre width,would have been its closest competitor.

Karnataka asks Chidambaram for Rs 5,000-crore for Bangalore Metro project

A group of Bangalore-based industry and government officials met Finance Minister P Chidambaram and asked for about Rs 5,000 crore for the next phase of the long-delayed Bangalore Metro Rail project.

The "Namma Metro" project is a joint venture between the Centre and the state government, in which the former holds a 25% stake.

Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar met Chidambaram, along with InfosysBSE -1.46 % executive co-chairman Kris Gopalakrishnan, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairman and managing director of BioconBSE -1.29 %, and TV Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Global Education.

The finance minister acknowledged that he held talks with government and industry representatives to discuss Phase-II of the city's metro rail project, which is critical for the city's crumbling transport infrastructure but has been stymied by funding and bureaucratic hurdles.

"The state will contribute about Rs 8,000 crore in the project," said an official who was part of the meeting. "The Finance Minister seemed positive about the project and may take the proposal forward."

The overall cost expected for the Phase II of the 76-km Namma Metro project is about Rs 27,000 crore. About Rs 11,000 crore has been spent on the Phase I of the project, partly financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency and Housing and Urban Development Corporation.

Asian Development Bank also approved a loan of $250 million (Rs 1,250 crore) for BMRCL earlier this year for the second phase.

The number of passengers expected to travel on the metro once it is fully complete is about 19 lakhs in 2021. In comparison, Delhi Metro carries about 20 lakh people every day on its various lines stretching up to Gurgaon and Noida from the national capital.

Chidambaram was in the city to hold meetings with the chief ministers and finance ministers of the four southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, relating to the flow of credit to core sectors, including agriculture, and greater financial inclusion.

4 months away for BIAL T-1 Expansion to complete

HSRL takes back seat; govt pushes for Metro phase 2

The much-hyped High-Speed Rail Link (HSRL) connectivity from city to Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) is likely to take a back seat as the state government is keen on extending the proposed phase 2 of the Namma Metro project from Nagavara to BIA.

Considering various factors, including the huge costs involved in the HSRL project and the ridership volume, the government is focussed more on completing the Namma Metro project. As part of the phase 2 of the Namma Metro project, there is a proposal to connect Indian Institute Management Bangalore to Nagavara, covering 21.25 km.

If Namma Metro is extended from Nagavara to BIA it would require incremental costs of `4100 crore. On the other hand, the HSRL project would require over `9,400 crore.

Phase 2 of the Namma Metro project will cover 72.09 km with 61 stations of which 12 will be underground.

The cost of the project is estimated to be `26,405.14 crore. BMRCL is expecting that the central government will approve the proposed project in two to three months.

Speaking to DNA, principal secretary of urban development department Amita Prasad said: “The state government is keen on completing both the phases of the Namma Metro project by 2017. BMRCL has made a proposal to extend the Namma Metro from Nagavara to BIA. Considering the cost and other issues, extending Metro is more viable as of now.”

When asked whether the HSRL project has been shelved, she said: “It has not been shelved yet. The decision on the HSRL needs to be taken at various levels and nothing has been finalised yet.”

As per a report submitted to the state government by BMRCL, the travel time in HSRL would be 29 minutes while in Namma metro, it would be 44 minutes as it has a station at every kilometre. Urban transport expert Ashwin Mahesh said: “Namma Metro is a better option than HSRL as it is going to cover many of the areas in the city. The government can think of skipping some stations so that air travellers reach faster.”

The HSRL was planned from MG Road till BIA via Cubbon Road, Chowdaiah Road, Ramana Maharshi Road and Bellary Road. The infrastructure development department had formed the Bangalore Airport Rail Link (BARL) to implement the HSRL project on a Build Operate and Transfer basis.Former infrastructure minister Janardhana Reddy was determined to go ahead with the project but his arrest led to delays in implementing the project.

Bangalore Metro will take you to the airport in less than an hour

The BMRCL is proposing to extend the Gottigere-Nagawara line

It could be anywhere between 44 and 55 minutes, depending on the stops

In future, you could reach the Bengaluru International Airport from M.G. Road in less than an hour, bypassing traffic snarls. For, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), which is expected to include metro connectivity to the airport, has computed the time to reach the airport once Phase 2 is completed.

“Our current estimated time is 44 minutes, which can go up to 55 minutes,” said BMRCL Managing Director N. Sivasailam on Wednesday. In his interaction with reporters on the eve of the first anniversary of the launch of the Namma Metro Reach 1 from M.G. Road to Byappanahalli, he said the time factor had been indicated to the government.

“While a journey in high speed rail link (HSRL) from the central business district to the airport could take 29 minutes, it could take [us] 44 minutes.”

The BMRCL is proposing to extend the Gottigere-Nagawara line, being taken up in Phase 2, to the airport. “Initially, with fewer stops, the airport could be 44 minutes [away].

The journey could take 55 minutes if the number of stops are increased later,” he added.

Rs. 5,000 crore project

BMRCL sources said they had already started the line estimation work for the 20 km between Nagawara and the airport, and that the detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared later.

“Our estimate for the extension is about Rs. 5,000 crore. This extension may also not feature in the proposal for Phase 2 being submitted before the Public Investment Board (PIB) shortly,” an official said, and added thatthe approval could be sought later.

Phase 2 proposal

The proposal for the Rs. 26,500-crore Namma Metro Phase 2 will be submitted before the (PIB), a key approval agency at the Centre, the next 10 days, Mr. Sivasailam said.

Approval for Phase 2 — which has already got the State government okay — from the PIB is expected in two or three months.

FINANCIAL PLAN

The financial plan will be on the lines of Delhi Metro Phase 3 and involves proposals for public-private partnership in systems (tracks, rolling stocks, signal, telecom and others) and operation and maintenance.

“If the PPP mode is taken, we will be saving about Rs. 6,000 crore.”

The project had already been approved by the Ministries of Railways and Finance as well as the Planning Commission.

Anniversary

To mark the first anniversary of the launch of the metro, BMRCL will be honouring more than 20 freedom fighters identified by the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi on October 20.

The metro will also launch a green initiative in which bicycles will be rented out. The bicycle initiative will be implemented by a private partner.

Hebbal to Silkboard Signal free Corridor Update

‘Widen Hebbal flyover’

Traffic police tell BDA that the four-lane flyover is bound to create a bottleneck once the six-lane expressway on the BIA Road becomes operational

Travelling to the Bangalore International Airport (BIA) could be a breeze in a few months from now when the much-touted six-lane elevated expressway on National Highway 7 opens to motorists. But, city traffic police believe getting into the city could still be a sleep-inducing crawl. 

City traffic police have written to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) saying that the four-lane Hebbal Flyover is bound to be a bottleneck as the expressway is a six-lane one. They have asked the civic agency to make modifications to the flyover to prevent traffic from piling up at the start of the flyover when the elevated expressway becomes operational. Traffic police have suggested that an extra lane be added on either side of the existing flyover. 

Once open, the elevated expressway will ensure a signal-free run from the Hebbal Flyover right up to BIA and is being constructed at a cost of Rs 600 crore. The project is expected to cut travel time down to about 20 minutes from the current 40 minutes. Vehicles would be able to travel at fair speed, but police believe that traffic congestion at the Hebbal Flyover is inevitable. 

“We have written to BDA on the issue,” M A Saleem, additional commissioner of police (traffic) said. “The elevated expressway is a six-lane one and vehicles will be travelling at speed which means a greater inflow. It is bound to create a jam at the existing flyover. We have suggested that the flyover be widened and additional lanes added.”

Traffic cops have a point

Police say they don’t expect a spurt in traffic once the expressway is opened. This stretch on the NH7 currently clocks about 8,000 PCU (Passenger Car Unit) per hour during peak hours. Experts feel the traffic police have a point and the problem should be addressed immediately. 

"Vehicles flowing from a six-lane road to a four-lane one will certainly create chaos,” Prof M N Shrihari, traffic and transport expert, said. “The PCU in the stretch in peak hours currently touches about 8000. The increase in the vehicles currently is 12 per cent every year. Considering these aspects, the flyover is bound to be a bottleneck. The city traffic police’s suggestion comes at the right time. A conversion to a six-lane flyover will help handle close to 9,000 PCU per hour during peak hour. And it will also satisfy Indian Road Congress norms.”

BDA is on board

The BDA too feels that the suggestion is a good one. 

“City traffic police have asked us to convert the existing four-lane flyover to six-lane,” T Sham Bhat, commissioner, BDA said. “It is essential. We will take decision based on the state government’s direction.”

Signal free outer ring road -Hennur Road junction thrown open

Mysore Road Flyover

Eight-lane corridor to ease traffic woes at Okalipuram

To provide relief to the commuters travelling towards Rajajinagar and Malleswaram from the busy Majestic area, the state government has approved the eight-lane signal free corridor between Okalipuram and Khoday's Circle.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister S Suresh Kumar on Friday declared that his long cherished dream  had come true with the state cabinet's approval. Describing the project as the most complicated of all civic works in the city, he said that it is being implemented in coordination with railway department, BBMP and BESCOM.

The cost of the project is ‘115 crore, out of which ‘102 crore is for civic work, he maintained. The work will be completed in 24 months. It will include two underpasses and a loop from city railway station. "The corridor will be 700 to 800 metres long. It will be like Hebbal flyover,"Suresh Kumar explained.

He said though the project was conceived long ago, no company came forward to take the bid as the work was complex. This time, two companies have expressed interest and the lowest bidder was given the chance.

City to get waste disposal plant

State cabinet on Friday approved the setting up of a modern solid waste disposal plant on ‘design, build, operate and transfer’ basis at Subbarayanavala village near Tavarekere.


Minister for law and parliamentary affairs S Suresh Kumar briefing the reporters about cabinet decisions said that the government will provide 10 acre of land on a lease of 20 years for the project.“Everyday, the fully automated segregation plant will process 750 metric tonnes of solid waste.

BBMP will pay the company ‘70 per one tonne of solid waste disposal. The proposal has been approved by the cabinet,” he said.


Suresh Kumar further said that the plant would be set up by Gujarat-based company Hanjir Biotech Engineering Pvt Ltd, which has already set about 20 such plants across  the country.

“The amount of solid waste which goes to landfill is very less. After segregation, the plant will produce manure, fuel pellets (used in cement factories) and plastic ingots for plastic recycling. About 80% of the solid waste will be recycled and only 20% will go for landfilling. The company plans for reducing this also,” Suresh Kumar added. 

 

The government is planning to set up scientific solid waste management plants at four places in the city. “We will take a call within a month in this regard. The government has also decided to extend the lease period of Sumanahalli Leprosy Patients Rehabilitation Centre for the next 20 years. The centre is being run on 5.23 acres of land allotted by the government on Magadi Road.
 

It is also decided to build residential houses for group  B,C & D employees of the High Court near NGEF in Byappanahalli in available five acres,” the minister said.

Track Laying Along Reach-3 of Metro (@ Yeswanthpur)

Be smart, click a photo, fill a pothole

Fed up with pothole ridden roads? From November 1 onwards, you just have to click a photo from your mobile and upload it on the BBMP website and the civic body has committed to fixing it within a specific time frame. That, says the new and enthusiastic BBMP commissioner Rajneesh Goel, is a first of its kind initiative and a Rajyotsava gift to the pot-holed city. Last count, there were 30,000 potholes on city’s roads.

In an innovative move the BBMP in association with the KEONICS, is developing Android based mobile phone (with GPS) application for accepting complaints from the public and attending to it through Geographical Positioning System (GPS), said BBMP commissioner Rajneesh Goel. People can upload the photo of the pothole on to the BBMP server which will be automatically sent to the engineer concerned.

Malleswaram is set to become new Majestic

BMTC,KSRTC to shift operations because of ongoing Metro work

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) are set to log out of the Kempe Gowda bus terminal,popularly known as Majestic,due to ongoing Metro work.The two transport corporations are set to shift operations to a new location in Malleswaram until work on the Namma Metro is completed.The managing directors of both BMTC and KSRTC have asked the BBMP commissioner to give the corporations four acres of land near Malleswaram so that they can relocate their arrival and departure bays there.In their letter,the MDs have said the land would be required for a period of four years.The letter was submitted four months ago,but they are still awaiting clearance from the civic agency.

On June 11,deputy chief minister and transport minister R Ashoka was told by KSRTC and BMTC officials that it was becoming increasingly difficult to continue operations from the main terminal.Ashoka had then asked the officials to demand land in Jakkarayanakere near Malleswaram and near Krishna Flour Mills from the BBMP on a temporary basis.A letter was sent by KSRTC MD ,Manjunath Prasad to BBMP commissioner seeking quick allotment of the land.The then commissioner forwarded the copy to the town planning standing committee.

Meanwhile,the joint commissioner,BBMP (West) is believed to have told the commissioner there is no problem handing over the land to BMTC,but before taking a final call on it,the local residents should be taken into confidence.

The matter had come up before the committee,but committee chairman Purushotham Ravi has put the matter on hold as the committee members are yet to inspect the land demanded by the KSRTC and BMTC.Ravi said,Because of the Metro work,BMTC and KSRTC have asked for alternate land near Malleswaram. 

BMTC chief traffic manager (Commercial),G N Veeregowda,said,We dont want to shift the KSRTC and BMTC bus stands immediately.The KSRTC has its ambitious plan for the countrys first inter-modal transport hub project which is yet to takeoff.Once the Rs 1,500 crore project is back on the ground,we may have to shift the bus terminals.We would require the land near Malleswaram at that time.

Metro work in progress at Majestic area

Partly finished Nayandahalli flyover to bring cheers for commuters

ALMOST READY: The flyover at the junction of Mysore Road and Outer Ring Road at Nayandahalli in Bangalore is being given the final touch by the contractor.

After missing several deadlines, the two-level flyover at Nayandahalli at the Junction of Mysore Road and Outer Ring Road (ORR) will partially be opened for traffic by this weekend. The stretch connecting the ORR from Tumkur Road towards Banashankari is almost ready and the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) that is constructing the flyover has been allowing traffic on trial basis since Saturday.

A senior BDA official concerned told  that the contractor is giving the finishing touch on the stretch and work will be completed by this weekend.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M. Abdulla Saleem said that the partial opening of the flyover is bound to offer considerable relief for vehicles at the Nayandahalli Junction, particularly those moving on the outer ring road. The waiting period at the junction too will come down, he said. Vehicles, both using Mysore Road as well as the outer ring road, would take anything between 15 to 25 minutes depending upon the time of the day to pass the signal at this junction. The BDA had started work on the project in the first quarter of 2011 and had promised to complete it by December 2011. However, it was unable to complete even one stretch of the flyover after one-and-a-half years. The outer ring road stretch was earlier scheduled for completion in December and then May even as the whole project is scheduled for completion by December 2012.

The partial opening, however, may not bring complete relief for those using Mysore Road because of the pathetic road condition, Mr. Saleem said.

The condition of the road coupled with inordinate waiting time at the KIMCO (BHEL) Junction could ruin the happiness of commuters, he said. The bridge-over-drain connecting Chord Road and Mysore Road is in the final stages of completion and once it is open, KIMCO Junction could be made signal-free bringing in much relief.

CNR Rao Circle Underpass -Some elbow room at last

Vehicles pass through one side of the underpass at CNR Rao Circle near the Indian Institute of Science, connecting Mehkri Cirlce and Yeshwantpur, after the traffic police and the BBMP opened this stretch to ease traffic at the junction and start work on the other side, in Bangalore on Wednesday. However, the CNR Rao Circle underpass, connecting Malleswaram and Mehkri Cicle, is still incomplete.

Air India gift to Bangalore flyers for Ganesha fest :Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Air India (AI) will fly its brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft into Bangalore on September 19, the day when the city will be celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi. Air India will be the first airline to land and take-off the Dreamliner from Bangalore. Incidentally, the carrier was also the first airline to land and take-off from Bengaluru International Airport (BIA), when it opened in 2009.

AI's evening flight from Delhi AI 403 on September 19 will be operated by the 256-seater Dreamliner and will touch down at 7.10pm at BIA. The same aircraft will depart from Bangalore to Delhi as AI 404 at 8.10pm.

"The 787 will allow Air India to open new routes in a dynamic marketplace and provide the best in-flight experience for our passengers," said, Rohit Nandan, CMD, Air India, which is the fifth airline in the world to take delivery of a 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft has the range and capability to allow AI to deploy them on many routes, including to the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Air India has placed orders for 27 Dreamliners, which it will induct into its fleet over the next couple of years. By the end of this year, the airline will have five Dreamliners in its fleet.

"I am sure Air India and their customers will be thrilled to experience the revolutionary features on the 787, an airplane that will be the key focus of the airline's turnaround plan," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice-president of Asia Pacific and India sales for Boeing commercial airplanes. Air India's first 787 Dreamliner was assembled in Everett, Wash, and delivered on September 6 from Boeing's South Carolina delivery centre. With this latest acquisition, the number of aircraft in Air India's fleet will go up to 122.

Lufthansas dream flight lands in BIAL

German airline introduces Bangaloreans to the pleasures of the world's longest and widest aircraft

In the chaos and confusion created by the bus strike,Bangaloreans missed watching the spectacle of the landing and taking off of the world's longest and widest aircraft a B747-8.Of the three Boeing Jumbo Jet B74708 aircraft handed over to Lufthansa airlines,while one touched base on Wednesday,another,which was christened by German chancellor Angela Merkel,landed in the city on Thursday.It was the first new aircraft to receive a water salute at the Bangalore International Airport (BIA).Dubbed as the 'Queen of the skies',the aircraft will connect Bangalore to Frankfurt.It is configured to accommodate eight passengers in the First Class,92 in Business Class and 262 in Economy.While pampering would have found a new meaning for First and Business Class passengers,those in the Economy Class can look forward to more legroom,head room and storage space.Economy Class passengers will be getting a fourth of a foot more space.All three classes have also been given an enhanced in-flight entertainment system.It promises 30 per cent lesser cabin noise,a sophisticated Business Class seat featuring a 6.5 feet long full-flat bed with vastly improved sleeping comfort and much greater privacy.Travellers on the main deck of the nose section will be treated to luxury at its peak in the quietest First Class cabin in the skies.

The B747-8 sets new standards in comfort and efficiency.It builds upon the Boeing 747 series.The significantly improved aerodynamics of the wings,newly developed wingtips and GEnx-2 Benginesachievea 15percent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions per passenger.

Introduction of the B747-8 is a major step in Lufthansas wider plan of overhauling its fleet to India.
The new aircraft replaces the B747-400 on the Bangalore-Frankfurt route (LH 754/55).

Bangalore is the third destination worldwide to be serviced by the B747-8 and the second Indian city after New Delhi.The B747-8 is serving the direct Delhi-Frankfurt route since August 7,2012.

FLIGHT DETAILS

LH 754 Frankfurt 1215 hrs Bangalore 0030 hrs (+1)
LH 755 Bangalore 0230 hrs Frankfurt 0825 hrs
Distance 7,746 km
Aircraft type Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental
Seating capacity 362 seats (8 First Class,92 Business Class,262 Economy Class)



Dubbed as the 'Queen of the skies',the aircraft will connect Bangalore to Frankfurt (Below) A seat in the Business Class

Mysore Road flyover to open by Sept-end

The bad news is the ongoing road-widening work will take another year to complete

There's some good news and some bad news for commuters using the Mysore Road.The good news first: Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is opening for traffic one of the two levels of the flyover coming up at Nayandahalli junction by this month-end,which will ease traffic congestion on the stretch to some extent.Now for the bad news: The road-widening project,started two years ago and expected to be ready by November-end,will require another year to complete.The project,started with an estimated expenditure of Rs 5 crore,has already cost the exchequer Rs 9.5 crore.

 

 

Travelling on Mysore Road is a nightmare these days due to a number of potholes and lack of street lights,causing accidents almost every day.

Former mayor Sharadamma and her deputy S Harish had inspected the widening work many times.The current mayor,D Venkatesh Murthy,and Major Roads Infrastructure standing committee chairman Sridhar Reddy have also inspected the work a few times in the past five months,but there has hardly has been any progress.

The BBMP got a rude shock in June when it found that Cos Consultancy,which had been monitoring the work,didnt have a laboratory in Bangalore.Hence,the Rs 22 lakh paid to the company for road quality maintenance went down the drain.

Chief engineer of BBMPs major road infrastructure wing,Somashekhar,said,We have been reviewing the project on a regular basis.According to the agreement between the BBMP and the contractor,the project should be completed by this November,but the progress is very slow.Soon we will issue a notice to the contractor,terminating the contract.Then,we will either invite fresh tenders for the pending work or we will make use of 4G exemption for works which are urgent in nature.

MORE HURDLES

He added,There are more hurdles for execution of the project.The cable ducts of BSNL,Bescom and other utility services have to be removed.Bescom is yet to shift the electric poles for which payment has already been made.We have to acquire around 25 properties on the stretch towards Gali Anjaneya Temple and we have asked owners to make use of TDR (Transferable Development Rights).It is difficult for us to acquire properties as we cant forcibly evict them.Options are being considered for settlement.

On Friday,the mayor along with deputy mayor L Srinivas inspected the project site and was not satisfied with the progress of the works.He has asked officials to complete the work on war-footing.

The work is being executed at a snails pace.I have asked officials to cancel the deal with the current contractor and ask a new contractor to execute it.

Meanwhile,BDA's construction of level one of the two-level flyover at Nayandahalli junction is nearing completion though the work has dragged on for almost three years.The flyover was expected to be completed by March 2012.

SIGNAL-FREE JUNCTION

The two-level flyover will be the first of its kind in the city and will make the junction signal-free.BDA's engineering member T N Chikkarayappa said,The first level of the flyover will be completed by this month.It will considerably ease traffic congestion at the junction.Motorists from Banashankari direction can use this level to head towards Nagarbhavi.The other level of the flyover will be completed in the next six months.

Kingfisher downsizing has hit BIAL hard

The GVK-controlled Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) — is currently expanding its terminal building to accommodate 17-20 million passengers a year. It reached its original capacity of 11 million passengers in its third year of operations in 2010. But it has not been a good start for BIAL this fiscal. Hari Marar, president, airport operations at BIAL, tells Ajay Sukumaran that the double whammy of slowing business travel and reduction in capacity because of Kingfisher Airlines' downsizing will keep growth relatively flat this year

How badly has Kingfisher affected BIAL?

At this point of time last year, it was our largest carrier. Today, it is operating about 6-7 departures a day from Bangalore. Last year this time, they were operating 47 departures a day. So, obviously that’s a huge impact on the Bangalore airport.

BIAL saw good growth and profitability in FY12. How do you hope to close this year?

I think this year we will close at more or less the same levels as last year. While we see a slight slowdown, it’s about 3% below last year at this stage, we hope to catch up in the next 8 months this year. We feel that from the winter schedule, things will start looking up again. That's traditionally the peak season, so, with that, things will sort of pick-up and we should at least be able to remain at last year's levels.

So growth will be flat?

But that's a perfect stage because by then we will have the terminal expansion ready and that gives us the right platform to grow from there. The first phase should be roughly in the first quarter of next year. We want to open up portions as and when they are ready.

If Kingfisher's downsizing has hit you so badly, how do you expect to keep the same volumes as last year?

If you look at Kingfisher’s operations, that's roughly 40 departures a day taken out of the system. Last year ,we were operating about 175 departures a day. We have come down to 135-140 departures a day. That’s about 20-25% reduction in Bangalore airport's traffic movements but in terms of passengers we are only about 3% below. So you can see it has got absorbed by other carriers. Plus airlines like Indigo, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, these are all expanding at this point of time, they will be inducting capacity.

We believe that they cannot afford a high potential market like Bangalore and they will put more planes here and that's what will ensure that we will remain at the same level as last year.