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.