Big push for public transport system

The transport ministry will take steps to provide safe, environmental friendly and sustainable public transport. We've always supported public transportation as a means for sustainable development. The idea is that increased use of public transportation will lessen the demand for private transportation , thereby lowering the number of vehicles on the road and lessening vehicle emissions.
Travelling by public transport should not be just convenient but it should be a pleasure . In order to increase the use of public transport in Karnataka, the ministry has initiated several proposals. But here are top five proposals.

1 ) To ensure buses maintain time, Vehicle Tracking System will be installed in 4,000 KSRTC buses. This system will provide information on real time vehicle location and expected time of arrival at any selected bus stand/pickup point. It will also enable people to get real time information through web application/mobile and IVRS. The system will also have a schedule planner which allocates vehicles and crew on weekly basis and parallel operation identification. There will be continuous communication between vehicle and control room. It will provide information on a regular basis enabling KSRTC to take corrective measures in case of any slip-ups .

2 ) For the convenience of common people at the bus stands, 300 passenger information display units will be installed at all bus stands. Real time information on bus movements will be communicated through PIS (passenger information system).

3 ) To make people's travel hassle-free , KSRTC will supply electronic ticketing machines with smart card interfacing to all depots. ETS (electronic ticketing system) will also empower KSRTC traffic/security & vigilance personnel to reconcile bus occupancy numbers with ticketed passengers and authenticate ETM-issued tickets or validated smart cards. ETS will support secure transfer of financial data from ETM through GSM network to a central server at preconfigured intervals . There will be facility for pre-paid cards.

4 ) KSRTC is implementing Intelligent Transport System (ITS) project in Mysore covering 500 buses, 105 bus stops, 6 bus terminals, 45 platforms at a cost of Rs 20.13 cr. It will cover automatic vehicle location information system and PIS providing information display in vehicles, bus stops, bus terminals , bus terminal platforms, one central control station (CCS), and generation of MIS reports.
This system will help in tracking and monitoring of the movement of buses on real time, information to commuters about bus routes and arrival timings of buses at the bus stops/terminals, next stop bus announcement system within bus along with display, facilitates timely management of incidents/accidents etc. The project is under final implementation stage and expected to be completely operational by August 2012.

5 ) In order to in increase frequency of bus service all over the state, 595 new buses will be inducted by March 2013. These include 52 Volvo multi axle buses which includes buses fitted with chemical toilet & pantry cabinet and sleeper coach buses, 42 Rajahamsa buses, 20 Karnataka Vaibhav, 75 front engine semi low floor buses for City operation and 400 NAL-designed Karnataka Saarige buses.

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.

Rlys to begin overbridge work near Yelahanka

Finally some good news for pedestrians and motorists going to Yelahanka from the Bellary road. The Railways will soon begin the construction of an overbridge in order to ease traffic bottleneck near railway gate at Allalasandra.

The work is likely to begin on July 30, though there is no official confirmation yet from the Railways in this regard. It was scheduled to begin a year ago, but was delayed because of the `680-crore elevated expressway project work was under progress.

"The Railway department has taken has taken `24 crore from BBMP to construct an overbridge from petrol bunk on Bellary road near Jakkur till the Yelahanka police station," said Yelahanka Newtown BBMP corporator M Muniraju.

The expressway work is also causing traffic problems for those going to Bangalore International Airport. After the work began, the Bellary Road is witnessing slow moving traffic movement during peak hours. The expressway has put a brake for the residents of Yelahanka and surrounding areas because they now have to cross the railway track near Allalasandra, police said.

There were two ways to go to Yelahanka from Bellary road. One is to take BIA road and go via Raitha Santhe Circle. The other is to cross the railway gate near Allalasandra, which is a traffic bottleneck and causes jams even during non-peak hours.

"The pedestrians have to risk their life because there is no footpath at the crossing and they have to take the same road used by vehicles, which is just 20 feet wide," traffic police said.

"When the motorists going to Yelahanka stop their vehicle because the railway gate is closed, the traffic build up reaches till GKVK and Yelahanka police station. This overbridge will bring relief to these problems," said Sreepada MS, a resident.

Additional commissioner of police (traffic) MA Saleem said, "The road passing through Allalasandra railway gate will be closed for next nine months. People will have to take the alternate routes suggested by us." A traffic policemen blamed the concerned authorities for not putting sign boards of alternative routes. If they change routes suddenly, residents will get confused, he added.

Cycling lane that cost 13 cr has been ripped apart to plant saplings

Utter madness in BBMPs methods

 

Cycling lane that cost 13 cr has been ripped apart to plant saplings

Barely six months ago,pedestrian-friendly footpaths in Jayanagar were narrowed down to make way for the cycling lane.And now on a whim,the civic body has dug it up and planted saplings that are sure to wither and die in the concrete surroundings

As stakeholders in Bangalore's development,we the citizens often end up using a Shakespearean prism like Polonious seeing a method in Hamlets madness in trying to see a glimmer of logic in BBMP sactions.How else does one account for the Palike's decision to narrow pedestrian-friendly footpaths by half so as to accommodate a parking/cycling lane less than six months ago at a cost of Rs 13 crore,then dig up its own work to plant saplings along the stretch! If that's not puzzling enough,sample this: There are at least four new boards pointing to a rain water harvesting line under the footpaths,but a walk along the stretch didnot throw up even a single entry point for rain water.

Little wonder,then,that residents who live in the vicinity of the 20th Cross and 21st Cross in Jayanagar 4th T block are not amused.It was great to hear that they wanted to spruce up the area.The footpaths were worn out and the road had begun to spring potholes.So when BBMP went about the work with gusto,we were impressed, says Sathyanarayan Rao,a 73-year-old retired professor of Physics whose house is located along the stretch.The final product was polished and neat and got the residents vote.We had very good footpaths with proper tiles,and the road was neat and clean.Sure,we were not keen on the footpaths being narrowed down,but you can't have everything,says 27-year-oldArchanaVeeresh,a school teacher and resident of the area.The total expenditure on the project was around Rs 13 crore.

That was six months back; now, the residents are watching helplessly as BBMP has begun tearing up the road to plant saplings -- which in any case have no hope of survival in an expanse of concrete. “You cannot plant saplings with a concrete layer around them, because this does not allow the roots to spread out and grow,” says M B Krishna, a city-based ornithologist. 

At least 20 saplings have been planted along the half-kilometre stretch, complete with railings that advertise the ‘public service’ of local corporator C K Ramamurthy and Jayanagar MLA N Vijaya Kumar. “If they intended to plant saplings, why tar the road less than three months earlier and waste public money?” asks Rao.

But the real mystery is the boards (with arrows pointing downwards) that publicise a rain water harvesting line running under the footpaths. 

A walk along the stretch failed to show us a single entry point for rain water. “We have no idea where the rain water is meant to percolate into the ground; the engineering is mystifying,” say the residents.

When we tried to reach the corporator and the MLA, but both remained unavailable. Officials of BBMP’s engineering wing said the required engineering parameters had been applied for the project. 

To our observation – backed by photographs -- of there being no inlet for rain water along the stretch, they insisted that there were several. “We picked the lowest level along the stretch for the water to percolate. Maybe they (the inlets) are covered with leaves,” was their explanation.

Road-widening tops the list of Bangaloreans grouses

 BDA has got hundreds of letters suggesting that road-widening be scrapped in 2035 plan

Letters poured in to the offices of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) after it asked the citizens to send in their objections and suggestions for the proposed Revised Master Plan (RMP) 2035,which will replace theMasterPlan2015.And most of the letters,sent by citizens groups,resident welfare associations and individuals,were complaints against road-widening projects.Sources said that one citizen even went to the extent of writing a letter in blood.It seems like everybody who is at the risk of losing his or her property to road-widening has written to the BDA saying that such an initiative should not be part of the 2035 plan.Some even suggested various alternatives, a source said.Road widening has always remained a contentious issue.Back in 2006 when the 2015 plan was in its initial stages,the BBMP had announced plans to widen 216 roads,mostly in the central areas of the city.But as of 2012,only 20 of these roads have been widened.The BBMP came up with the transferable development rights as compensation for people whose properties would be demolished or taken over for road widening.Even this resulted in further controversies with allegations of misuse by developers.Green activists have also opposed road widening as many old trees had to be chopped off.The Sankey Tank Road widening according to the 2015 plan was also challenged in the High Court.

The Master Plan 2015 is the comprehensive development plan currentlyinplace.Theallegationagainst civic agencies is that only four per cent of the plan envisioned by the BDA in the 2015 plan has been completed till date.In another two years when the RMP 2035 comes into existence it may only carry over the current plan's ideas that have not been implemented.

BDA is entrusted with planning the city and a comprehensive development plan has to be revised once every 10 years.The first CDP came into force in 1984.

Environmentalists too oppose road-widening as it needs axing of full-grown trees

A tale of two Metros

The Bangalore and Delhi experiences have lessons to offer metro projects in other Indian cities 

The metro network in Bangalore started operations a few months ago. It covers a relatively small stretch of about seven kilometres. In comparison, the Delhi Metro has been operating its network for almost a decade, and now covers a distance of over 190 kilometres. Yet, a comparison between the two networks will tell you a lot about the way public transport projects are conceived, executed and operated in India. And there are obvious lessons for those who intend to embark on similar projects planned for several cities across the country.

The Bangalore Metro network was initially conceived as a public-private partnership (PPP) in 1993, almost at around the same time as the Delhi Metro idea. The difference was that while the Bangalore Metro could not make headway on the project for almost a decade, breaking its head over how it could implement the correct concessionaire agreement with the prospective operator, the Delhi Metro stayed away from the PPP model and set up a project in which the Centre and the state government were equal partners. It began implementing the project from 1995 and, by 2002, trains began running on a short stretch of about five kilometres.

That perhaps is the first lesson. How effective is the PPP model in public transport projects? The Bangalore Metro explored various options and even did the unthinkable by asking the prospective bidders of the project to indicate along with their bids the nature of the concessionaire agreement that they would prefer. Little did it realise then that the framing of a concessionaire agreement should have preceded the bidding process, so that the bidders made their offers on that basis. Fortunately, the Bangalore Metro soon recognised the problems with the PPP model, opted for what the Delhi Metro did, and work on it began in 2003.

It is, therefore, important for policy makers to realise that the choice of the PPP model is no guarantee for ensuring efficient and smooth execution of a public transport project. Whatever be the model, the project promoters should get the basics right and follow the well-established principles of any model of executing a project. This is not rocket science. There is no reason why the Bangalore Metro should have wasted ten years before discarding the PPP model and allowing the Centre and the state government to be the joint owners of the project. Both models can work. If you opt for the PPP model, make sure that the concessionaire agreement with the operator is foolproof and fixes all responsibilities in a transparent way. Similarly, operational freedom and accountability through an institutional framework are a necessary precondition for the success of a metro project where the Centre and the state are joint owners.

The Delhi Metro’s execution and operation stood out for another reason — it had E Sreedharan as the managing director, who by the time he came to head the project had acquired an icon-like status in executing railway projects. Few in the government system or outside could stand in the way if Mr Sreedharan decided a certain course of action. It’s true that the Indian Railways succeeded in forcing the broad-gauge model for the first phase of the Delhi Metro, against the wishes of Mr Sreedharan. But the second phase did see the introduction of standard gauge, an indication that the Delhi Metro managing director would eventually have his way whatever the nature of his opposition.

Mr Sreedharan executed the Delhi Metro project with efficiency, speed and only a few minor accidents. He introduced a lean management structure. But he also showed scant regard for the established processes for the selection of contractors or vendors, and decided to choose his own methods. Since he enjoyed the reputation of a man of integrity and had tasted of success as well, the voices of protest against the way he ran the project were few and muted. In a system with an acute scarcity of efficient managers with integrity, Mr Sreedharan enjoyed leeway that would be denied to most others in similar situations.

In sharp contrast, the Bangalore Metro project is being executed without a highly visible leader like Mr Sreedharan. The managing director of the Bangalore Metro Transport Corporation is N Sivasailam, a mechanical engineer who joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1985. He maintains a low profile, but that in no way has adversely affected the efficiency of execution in the project, although there were delays in the early stages of its implementation. The project is running efficiently and it has already begun earning profit on the short stretch on which it operates. It has a long way to go, but the Bangalore Metro has established that an efficiently executed project need not be a one-man show. Instead, it can be the result of team work helped by a strong institutional framework.

Even in tariff-setting, the Bangalore Metro has charted a new path that is more transparent and participative than that followed by the Delhi Metro. The recommendations of the tariff advisory committee of the Delhi Metro are binding on the operator. However, the composition of the committee and the nature of its recommendations are not immune to political influence or pressure. In the case of the Bangalore Metro, tariffs are set transparently after a non-governmental organisation conducts open consultations among all stakeholders including commuters. Clearly, the new metro networks coming up in different parts of the country have a lot to learn from the experiences of Delhi and Bangalore.

‘Bus corridor the answer to traffic woes’

With urban transport being locked in a vicious circle of congestion, unsafe roads, long duration of travel, and so on, Prof Holger Dalkmann, director of World Research Institute’s Embarq programme, has said that although there are solutions to this problem, they need to be applied at the local level.

Speaking at the National Institute of Advanced Studies here, he said now was the opportunity to make the changes for sustainable transport.

“We have to look at it from an integrated perspective and make sure that we do not miss the window of opportunity that we have to adopt changes for sustainable transport,” he said.

He suggested the use of private transport should be avoided by developing land closest to transport hubs or bus stations, shifting to public transport and non-motorised transport by increasing civic amenities necessary for this, such as a bus rapid transport (BRT) corridor, integrated transport hubs, and so on.

Emphasising on BRT as one of the solutions for better public transport in cities, he cited examples of Ahmedabad, Rio in Brazil, and other cities that had adopted BRT successfully and were proactively thinking of expanding.

“BRT corridors can be built at a small fraction of the cost of other mass transit facilities such as Metro, mono rail or light rail. It has been shown in countries such as Brazil that BRT does not need extremely wide roads to work. It will work just as well if implemented correctly,” he said, adding that BRT also reduced road accidents drastically, not just along the corridor but in surrounding areas as well.

However, he added that BRT corridor alone could not solve problems unless it was properly implemented and monitored. While BRT had been working well in Ahmedabad, it failed in Delhi because of poor manner in which it was implemented, he said.

NHAI, PWD to build Satellite Town Ring Road for B’lore

The long-delayed Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR) project to connect Bangalore’s satellite towns - Ramanagar, Dobbespet, Devanahalli, Hoskote, Attibele and Magadi will be implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the State Public Works Department (PWD).

While NHAI will develop the stretch between Dobbespet and Hoskote via Devanahalli, the PWD will construct the stretch between Attibele and Magadi Road under the Karnataka State Highway Improvement Project-II (KSHIP-II), PWD Minister C M Udasi told the Legislative Council on Tuesday, replying to a question by R V Venkatesh.

The project was first approved in 2006 and the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) was to implement it. The land acquisition cost, which was estimated to be Rs 741 crore in 2007, has now shot up to Rs 2,872 crore.

The road construction was estimated to cost Rs 3,800 crore in 2007. The project is expected to trigger development of satellite towns and ease the pressure on Bangalore.

The State government has to bear the cost of land acquisition if the NHAI and the PWD take up the project, the minister stated.

The government had issued preliminary notification for land acquisition under the project in 2007.

Many ring roads

The BMRDA has plans to develop about 734 km of ring roads around Bangalore. They are: STRR, Intermediate Ring Road (IRR) and Radial Roads. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has plans to develop a Peripheral Ring Road (PRR).

IRR is proposed to have a length of 188 km, circumventing Bangalore beyond the proposed BDA Peripheral Road (110 km), connecting Tattekere, Harohalli, Bidadi, Thippagondanahalli, Nelamangala, Devanahalli, Nallur, Hoskote and Sarjapur.

Radial Roads are proposed to be of 262 km length and they will connect the existing Outer Ring Road and the proposed Peripheral Road of the BDA as well as the Intermediate Ring Road proposed by the BMRDA and Satellite Town Ring Road. However, none of these projects has taken off due to land acquisition problems.

23 new NHs

Udasi said the PWD has proposed to the Union Surface Transport Ministry to upgrade 23 state highways.

KSRTC buses with loo, pantry hit the road

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Home and Transport R Ashoka launched the Volvo multi-axle buses of KSRTC with chemical toilets, in-built pantry, live TV and Wi-Fi facility on Wednesday.

The buses with pantry and toilet facilities are called ‘Airavat Bliss’ and buses with only toilets are called ‘Airavat Superia’.

A total of six Airavat multi-axle buses have been procured and will on the operate  Bangalore-Chennai and Bangalore-Tirupati routes initially.

 KSRTC  officials said the buses will also have a live TV facility with a mini television screen attached to each seat, along with ear phones and remote control.

“We have tied up with Integration Consultancy Services and Airtel TV for the facility,” said a senior official.

‘Aircraft experience’Describing the service, Ashoka said travelling in multi-facility buses will give passengers the experience of an aircraft at a fare of Rs 650 to Rs 750, as compared to Rs 1,200 in a private luxury bus.

For Tirupati buses, the travel fare is Rs 450 to Rs 500 and it is only Rs 50 extra compared to the existing Volvo service.

Ashoka added that the buses will also have a Wi-Fi system where the passengers can pay Rs 15 and get a scratch card from the conductor to use the facility throughout the journey. The Wi-Fi service will be free for commuters for the next two months, he said.

On the food service, KSRTC officials said passengers can choose the preferred food item from the menu available at counters or online while booking the tickets.

“Passengers have to pay an additional price of Rs 125 for the food service and the menu includes pongal, sandwich, fruit salad, fruit juices, coffee, tea etc. Passengers are allowed to use the oven in the pantry to heat the food items,” said Manjunath Prasad, MD, KSRTC.

Track your busThe KSRTC is also launching a service called ‘Track the Vehicle’, wherein anybody can login to the KSRTC website and check the location of any bus on the move.

“The facility will be of great help to families of passengers who are at home or elsewhere. They will be assured that their beloved are safe,” Ashoka said.

As a part of the service, people can also send an SMS to 9243755920, to track the bus.

For this, they have to type: ‘Where are you?’ along with the PNR number mentioned in the ticket. The officials also said for the first time in the country, KSRTC is holding a counselling on the lines of CET for recruiting drivers and driver-cum-conductors. “These staff will be posted to the places based on merit and also as per their choices and options,” said a senior official.

Ashoka also said a total of 4,000 buses will be procured for the State as a whole under various transport corporations in the coming years. “For this year alone, 919 buses including 164 regular and 10 Carona buses will be procured,” he said.

Namma Railu - A Praja Initiative

Tenders Floated for Signal Free Corriodor From Soap Factory to Majestic

Bengaluru International Airport -Terminal 1 Expansion

Govt gives go-ahead for five signal-free corridors

Five signal-free corridors, nine multi-level vehicle parking systems and bio-methanisation plants will soon be a reality in the City with the State government giving its nod to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to execute the projects.

Aimed at clearing traffic bottlenecks in different parts of the City, the signal-free corridors will come up on Dr Rajkumar Road (Yeshwantpur Circle to Okalipuram), Outer Ring Road (Magadi Road to Chord Road), Hosur Road (Central Silk Board to Vellara Junction), Old Airport Road (Vellara Junction to Whitefield via Kundalahalli) and from Mekhri Circle to Hope Farm Junction via Old Madras Road.

The total length of the corridors is approximately 55 km, which will be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 618 crore. Of this, Rs 426 crore has been earmarked for the current financial year.

Initially, the estimate prepared for the project was about Rs 1,000 crore. But after revision, the cost was cut to Rs 618 crore and the government allowed the Palike to carry out the work with Rs 426 crore this year and execute works for the remaining amount the next year.

The government also approved development of many major roads in the City at an estimated Rs 200 crore under TenderSURE, a web-based tendering tool to improve efficiency and check corruption.

 

 

Vehicle parking

The government also gave the go-ahead for nine multi-level vehicle parking systems and bio-methanisation plants at an estimated Rs 200 crore. The Palike will set up bio-methanisation plants at 16 places across the City under public-private partnership.

The parking systems will come up at Gandhi Bazaar, Koramangala (near Forum Mall), opposite Hosmat Hospital, Vijayanagar (near Metro Station), near Russell Market in Shivajinagar, at the BBMP head Office, opposite Yeshwantpur RTO, Murugeshpalya on Old Airport Road, and near Bannappa Park.

The government also allowed the civic body to develop mega gardens along the lines of Cubbon Park and Lalbagh.

Prof. CNR Rao circle underpass @ Yeswanthpur

From Yeswanthpur End 

Malleswaram end

Namma Metro Reach 4A - Kanakapura Road (From BSK ) to METRO Cash and Carry Construction Updates

Ongoing NM Construction in R V Road, Jayanagar -Reach 4

Team from Airports Authority inspects BIA expansion work

A high-level delegation of the Airports Authority of India, led by its chairperson Vijai Prakash Agrawal, inspected the expansion work of terminal-1 of the Bengaluru International Airport on Monday.
According to a statement from the Bangalore International Airport Limited, the team took stock of the progress on the site. Power presentations were also made before the delegation. The team visited the additional terminal space on both sides of the existing terminal – the roof element, added infrastructure for check-in counter, baggage make-up areas, lounge areas, added passenger amenities and the new VVIP building.

Agrawal said the project was moving at a fair pace in spite of the hurdles faced earlier, which were largely terrain-based. These delays were now addressed. He said the capacity constraints at the airport would be overcome. The terminal expansion is expected to accommodate 18 million passengers annually versus the current 12.5 million.

Meanwhile, the Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS), a joint venture between Air India Limited and SATS Limited has been awarded the TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association) certification for its Bengaluru Cargo Terminal, making it the first Indian airport services provider to be certified for the highest security requirement, i.e. TAPA Freight Security Requirements Class A.

TAPA is a global forum that unites global manufacturers, logistics providers, freight carriers, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders with the common aim of reducing losses within international supply chains.

TAPA currently has over 600 member companies across Europe, Middle East, Africa, America and Asia.

Monorail resurfaces,to be ready in 2 years

Ashok Kheny has finalized a detailed project report for a 41-kilometre monorail system on NICE peripheral road 

The metro-versus-monorail debate may have been settled in favour of the former in Bangalore.But make no mistake,the monorail has not been buried yet.The city will get a 41-km monorail route in as little time as two years.
Ashok Kheny,the road contractor who is already collecting toll on the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) 50-km peripheral and link roads,is ready with a detailed project report for the monorail system that will run on NICE Road connecting Electronics City and the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre on Tumkur Road.Just like the road,the rail will connect important roads that run into Bangalore like Hosur Road,Bannerghatta Road,Mysore Road,Magadi Road and Tumkur Road.

GOVT PERMISSION NOT REQUIRED

Kheny, currently in the US,confirmed work on the detailed project report.Highly placed sources in NICE said that there was no need for a fresh approval by the state government for the monorail.
The Framework Agreement between NICE and the State Government covers the mono rail project.The rail in monorail is a misnomer.Unlike a train,which is metal running on metal,monorail is actually rubber on concrete.It is basically a guided bus where the tyres are horizontally placed in relation to the concrete beam below.The Indian Railways Act controls the operation of railways and trains,but the monorail does not come under this Act.
However,even if NICE does not need permission for the monorail,it will need permission for it to be linked to the Namma Metro network.NICE Road and Namma Metro Phase II intersect at three places Tumkur Road,Gottigere at the Bannerghatta junction and Electronics City.
NICE will have to seek government permission to build stations at these and other places.NICE sources said that they plan three internodal stations and two multistoried car parking lots.

A THIRD OF THE COST

The NICE monorail is touted as a cost effective model.The technicalities are being worked out.The costing will be done at the very last,just before commencement of work,considering the market rates of the inputs at that point of time.But if we start work today,we should complete the project within two years.The report puts a timeline between 18 and 24 months, the source said.
The monorail is envisioned as not just a feeder to Namma Metro.It will complement the Metro since we estimate that there will be enough people travelling between Electronics City and Tumkur Road.

RAIL TO MYSORE

NICE also plans a high-speed 111-km monorail connecting Bangalore and Mysore on its much-delayed Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC),a source said.
However,with the controversy over the BMIC,it will take some time.As of now,the monorail around Bangalore is as close to becoming a reality as it ever was.

METRO VS MONO

THERE IS always a debate as to which of the mass transit system is better: Metro or mono.The promoters of mono argue that it is comparatively cheaper and takes up less space since the track is narrower than the train itself.However,when it comes to carrying capacity,metro beats the mono hands down.Monorail runs on a single track while the metro has a double track and its carrying capacity is estimated at four times more than the monorail per hour.Depending on the number of coaches,the monorail can carry between 500 and 600 people at a time.Though debated,the return on cost in the long run is in favour of the metro.When both systems exist,the monorail has been the feeder system.

Metro Reach-3 (Peenya to Swatik ) Update

TBM @ Work near Cubbon Park

Commuter rail could soon link suburbs to city centre

South Western Railway DRM S. Mani shows the ongoing projects and achievements of SWR in the last one year, in Bengaluru on Friday

 

 

The Commuter Rail System connecting Bengaluru city to the suburbs will soon become a reality with South Western Railway (SWR) expanding its network to the suburbs.

Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) has submitted a feasibility report to the State Government. It is said that suburban trains could start 15 months from the date of approval given by the Government.

The Suburban Commuter Rail System will connect high-density locations like Whitefield, Kengeri, Tumkur, Dodaballapur and Chikkaballapur (near Bangalore International Airport).

The proposal for a commuter rail system has been pending for some time and was awaiting a feasibility report by a professional organisation.

“RITES submitted a report to the State Government almost a month back. Railways, Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and related organisations had a meeting two days ago to discuss the report.

The report will be resubmitted in three weeks time to the State Government with some modifications as discussed in the meeting. We are hoping that the project could happen now as we have a framework for the project,” said the Divisional Railway Manager of South Western Railway (SWR) Division, S. Mani.

The project will not require new tracks as the existing track network will serve the purpose. However, in Phase-2 of the project, doubling of all lines will take place and electrification of lines may also happen. “We will have to decide on the funding structure for the project and we will have to see the monetary commitment for the project also,” said Mr. Mani.

City railway station will be expanded

Bangalore City Railway station will soon be expanded. A report submitted by RITES proposed two additional platforms by shifting the cleaning and maintenance units to another station like Byapanahalli.

Initially it was proposed that the Binny Mill land would be used for the expansion of the City Railway Station which sees 2 lakh passengers every day.

The station needs to be expanded because the number of long distance trains has increased. Mr Mani said that a huge space between platform numbers 4 and 5 is being used for cleaning and maintenance of coaches which will be shifted to Byapanahalli where there is land or to Hejjala railway station located close to Ramanagaram.

“Once the unit is shifted, the space can be used for constructing two more platforms at the station and more long distance trains can then take off from the City Railway station,” said the DRM In the report submitted to the State Government, the Railways has requested that the Binny Mill land be developed as a commuter rail hub for passengers to quickly board and alight from trains.

“We will be spending close to Rs 13 crore on maintaining the rakes at the station. There was a proposal to revamp Byapanahalli station and make it into a world class station but that is not under our purview as it lies with the Railway Board.,” Mr Mani said. A new building is also being built, with parking space, restaurants and reservation counters.

interchange with metro stations

BMRCL stations will be connected to railway stations with the help of travelators. Railways have entered into an agreement with BMRCL to provide this facility to connect MG Colony metro station (entry/ exit points) with Bangalore City Railway station. Railways have agreed to provide land for this facility. The travelators will be overhead. It has also been proposed that the railway station’s subway be connected to the metro station.

BMTC Buses will be available

Railway passengers could soon take a bus from the railway station itself. Railways in collaboration with BMTC are planning to have a bus lane right outside the station. Another possibility is the new road from the railway station that connects to the Koday Circle. This road is being widened and BMTC buses may come from this road to the railway station.

Security measures to be beefed up

All illegal entry points at the City Railway station will be closed, and 100 CCTVs will be installed at the station. The station will be equipped with two baggage scanners and two vehicle scanners. Close to Rs 2 crore will be spent on enhancing security.