Connecting the Metro stations: Karnataka looks to China to usher in LRTS
Bengaluru: The state government is seriously considering introducing the Light Rapid Transport System (LRTS) to provide connectivity among metro stations in Bengaluru city. With citizens of Bengaluru not making adequate use of metro trains due to lack of connectivity from residential layouts to metro stations and bus stands, the government wants to introduce LRTS to link first, second and third phase metro stations.
Already, a project report has been prepared by Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation to have a 40 km mini train route in Bengaluru. A delegation from China’s Shandong International Economic and Technical Co-Operation Group Limited made a presentation on the metro rail and high speed train and also held discussion with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here on Thursday.
The Chief Minister discussed three grade separators — Hebbal to Chalukya Circle via Central Silk Board (16 km); Goraguntepalya to KR Puram (21 km) and Jnanabharathi to Whitefield (27 km). This would ensure connectivity on all four sides of the city. The Chinese company had shown interest to take up this project on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis besides investing in all these three projects.
Construction of overpasses will reduce the travel time from Hebbal to Silk Board to 20 minutes, KR Puram to Goraguntepalya to 21 minutes and from Jnanabharathi to Whitefield to 40 minutes. Discussions were also held for building another corridor from BBMP circle to Hoskote.
Information and Infrastructure Minister R. Roshan Baig told mediapersons that the China-based company is known for construction of important highways, high speed trains and overpasses. The state government would be signing an agreement with that company at the Global Investors Meet(GIM) to be held in Bengaluru in November this year.
Six-lane express corridor
A project report is being prepared for a six-lane express corridor from Bengaluru-Mysuru in co-operation with a China-based company. The project cost is around Rs 6,500 crore and resources would be mobilised by Shandong International Economic and Technical Co-Operation Group Limited. This corridor would reduce journey time considerably.
High Speed train to link Chennai-Mysuru
Mr Roshan Baig said the CM discussed the high speed train project between Chennai and Mysuru via Bengaluru and a six-lane express corridor on the Bengaluru-Mysuru section. Already, the BJP led NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had referred to a high speed train on the Chennai-Mysuru section via Bengaluru.
The meeting with the Chinese company was a prelude to this, he added. According to sources, there is a proposal to construct an overpass near Kengeri and Bidadi in view of sharp curves not suitable for high speed trains.
Recently, a team of officials inspected the existing railway track on Bengaluru-Mysuru section to find out feasibility of the high speed train.
