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Criss-cross elevated corridor based development, or Namma Railu based development - which would suit Bengaluru better?
Written By murali772 - 10 June, 2015
Bangalore urban development Media Reports sustainable development Sustainable Mobility
The state government's ambitious plan of easing traffic congestion by constructing elevated corridors is all set to come with a huge bill: A massive Rs 18,500 crore! And they plan to pass it on to the users.
The initial estimates for the three corridors that will crisscross the city were readied recently and the projects are likely to be kick-started by the state government before the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls. The corridors, which are likely to be completed in five years, will be pay-and-travel (toll) roads for commuters.
Three elevated roads have been planned: the north-south corridor connecting Central Silk Board with Hebbal; east-west corridor-1 connecting KR Puram with Yeshwanthpur (Goraguntepalya); and east-west corridor-2 connecting Jnanabharathi with Varthur Kodi.
These will have three more connecting corridors of a total length of 75 km, all estimated to be built at a cost of Rs 18,500 crore — one of the costliest projects to be executed by the BBMP under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model. The Congress government led by chief minister Siddaramaiah has decided to take on a few development projects before the BBMP elections.
For the full text of the report in the Bangalore Mirror, click here.
This is again going to be encouraging car-centric travel of the elite few. As compared that, Namma Railu (Commuter Rail - for FAQ, click here), will provide for most the cost effective connectivity between the city to the many townships around it, allowing for large sections of the aam aadmi to move out, and thereby de-congest the city. And, the entire scheme could be put in place in less than a year.
One would have thought that the Namma Railu option made far more sense. One hopes it's not too late for a total re-think.
Muralidhar Rao
COMMENTS
Vehicular Emmissions and accidents are major concern with roads
Vasanth - 14 June, 2015 - 16:19
In a well developed European or American city, elevated expressway and Metro both works good. In Third World countries like India and China, where the fuel quality is low, emissions are a major concern.
Other than that, there is no proper enforcement of traffic rules. People drive very rashly in these kind of expressways in India leading to road rage and accidents.
Priority should be more for Namma Metro, Railu and BRTS. Govt never talks about BRTS.
On elevated corridors passing through city, we need to priorotize Buses and toll private vehicles. Govt should not spend a pie on the corridors.
How many times did the announcment of elevated corridor happen
Sanjeev - 17 June, 2015 - 11:58
Since last 5 years I was hearing on elevated corridor from Minsk Square upto Hebbal Flyover and even the GOK was demanding central Govt to share the cost including the steel prices.
Worst Governance appening in Karnataka during last 6 years and we as citizens r paying the price.
GOK and Govt Of India have given thrid citizen treatment for Suburban Rail for Bangalore
both needed - but, Namma Railu deserves higher priority
murali772 - 12 June, 2015 - 08:25
Comments on google-groups by studied citizens, which definitely can't be ignored:
a) It should not be an either or. Both are required. All transportation modes have their place and I for one am not at all unhappy with the Govt spending 18500 crores (emphasis added by me). The problem until now has been govt doing quick and dirty projects spending too little and not making a big investment in infrastructure. We need Rail Metro and elevated roads also.
b) I do not think this is an either or question. Both are equally required. There is travel within the city required for people who have already built homes here. Current infrastructure cannot support it. Large scale Land acquisition is not possible in a dense area like this. So elevated corridors that bypass the city is the only answer. However, suburban rail is a must to connect nearby locations and staellite towns. They must be integrated so that they end where the metro bgins... so people can seamlessly hop off from one and move to the other. We need all modes of transport to exist.
Admittedly, you can't wish away cars. Besides, apart from cars, we need to have service vehicles moving within the city too, right? But, I would still say Namma Railu deserves higher priority.
A google search on expressways through London, took me to this album. The question, apart from the need, is also about the capacity to conceive and execute a proper job.
Namma Railu being given raw deal
Naveen - 13 June, 2015 - 04:20
The question really is why Namma Railu is being given a raw deal & lower priority than all others?
Though I might agree that road expansions might be inevitable even with Metro & Suburban rail, the focus of successive govts has never been on Suburban rail, a very important mode of travel for any city. In fact, they have neglected it completely.
Execution of elevated roads may be done by private road agencies - so, should be no problem if right of way & necessary land is given.
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