Southern States - Karnataka   

Rail link to Devanahalli airport likely

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore Aug. 19. If plans now being worked out by the Karnataka Government materialise, a broadgauge railway line between the City and the Devanahalli airport may take shape. The plans also include a link to a suburban rail service circling the City and a mass rapid transport system, partly through faster buses. Since the new airport will be about 30 km. from the City, a fast, all-weather link is necessary for air passengers, and for moving cargo to the airport. In fact, the Siemens-L&T Consortium is said to have invested on Devanahalli airport considering its business potential, and a reliable link from the City will be necessary to attract commercial cargo.

The Government is reported to have formed a joint venture with IDFC-HDFC and RITES, named iDeCK, to build the railway line to Devanahalli and the suburban rail and mass rapid transport network within the City. The services to be provided to air travellers will eventually include check-in facility at the railway station, probably Bangalore Cantonment. The other option to the airport will be the six-lane road being built. The train service is expected to provide a quicker alternative to passengers. K-RIDE, a company formed with the participation of Indian Railways, Karnataka Government, iDeCK, and Siemens Transport Group, are likely to plan the rail strategy. The new line is expected to terminate on an underground platform at the new airport. The existing Yeshwantpur-Yelahanka line would be suitably extended. The rail link is part of the masterplan for the international airport. An initial study is almost complete. An estimated investment of Rs. 1,200 crores will be necessary to upgrade and connect the existing railway lines.

Efforts would be made to bring together all stakeholders through K-RIDE to undertake the suburban rail system. The iDeCK-RITES study had shown that investments made by Indian Railways for expansion could be taken advantage for a city and suburban transportation network. If the fallout includes a mass rapid transport system on both rail and road, Bangalore's commuters would overcome the deficit felt by the virtual winding up of the elevated light railway scheme. Another project which would have benefited the commuters and which fell apart is the metro bus project, which was to have been implemented with Swedish assistance and buses from that country. Traffic planners have pointed out the need for creating new public transport alternatives in the City and for the newer suburbs to decongest the roads and make commuting safer and faster.

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