Friday, October 19, 2012

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














Friday, October 12, 2012

‘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.”