Karnataka - Bangalore

Bellary Road residents may miss Metro Rail

BANGALORE: The proposed high speed rail link (HSRL) connecting the city with the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) may be of great relief to those headed for the airport.

But, the proposal, if executed in its originality, is likely to deprive residents of Bellary Road of the benefits of Metro Rail. Also, the projected cost of HSRL (Rs. 6,500 crore) will be more than double the cost at which BIA has come up (Rs. 2,500 crore).

According to the detailed project report by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., (DMRCL), the alignment for HSRL will criss-cross the roads within the city while on NH 7 it will be on the right hand side. As the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) too is contemplating to construct an elevated road between Hebbal and the trumpet interchange for BIA, little room will be available for the Metro on Bellary Road, say those advocating for Metro on the stretch.

An official in the Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) said the Department had sought views from the Urban Development Department and the Finance Department on HSRL. After the views were received, the proposals will be placed for cabinet approval, he added.

The State Government has to get the right of way for executing the HSRL project from NHAI as major portion of the 36.5-km line will pass on NH 7. On the other hand, NHAI needs State Government approval to collect toll on its elevated road, explained the IDD official.

There have been arguments in favour of and against the HSRL. Those arguing against HSRL point out that even the Metro could offer speedy connectivity. While a metro line from city till Yelahanka could benefit the existing dwellers, beyond Yelahanka the line has the potential to trigger fast development.

However, if HSRL is constructed as per the present alignment, none of these will be a reality and residents of this part of the city will be the losers, they argued.

Those arguing for HSRL say it will offer an assured and quicker transportation to the airport unlike the road transport. While Government spends only in terms of acquisition of land (around Rs. 500 crore), the entire cost of construction and operation (Rs. 6,000 crore) will be borne by the private partner.

The official also pointed out that neither the coaches nor the line can be used for regular city commuting (Metro Rail). He noted that people in Yelahanka will get Metro facility as there was a proposal to build a metro line between Yelahanka and Electronics City via Hennur, Lingarajapuram and M.G. Road. However, he could not answer as to what about people in between Yelahanka and the city centre.

On the other hand, a senior Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) official said the issues were still in a fluid state. The detailed project report for Metro Phase 2, which will examine potential routes, including the one between Electronics City and Yelahanka is yet to come.