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Commuter Rail - Will it ever materialize ?
Written By Naveen - 13 February, 2010
Bangalore railways CRS SWR Namma Metro Transportation public transport Commuter rail
Most of us are aware that the CTTP-2007 report had recommended a Commuter /Sub-urban rail system for the city, totalling 204.0km (this includes city & suburban services upto Tumkur, Hosur & Ramanagaram). A few sub-urban trains are in operation & are being run by Southwestern railways (SWR), but the system is not of much help to urban commuters.
Please also see earlier discussions on this subject here, here & more recently here.
Within the city & the more developed suburbs, the following (twenty-two) stations already exist, but many of these stations are not much used :
1) Yelahanka
2) Chikkabanavara
3) Kodigehalli
4) Lottegollahalli
5) Hebbal
6) Yeswantapur
7) Chennasandra
8) Banaswadi
9) Krishnarajapuram
10) Bangalore East
11) Whitefield
12) Malleswaram
13) Cantonment
14) Byappanahalli
15) City Station
16) Nayandahalli
17) Gnanabharti
18) Kengeri
19) Bellandur Rd
20) Karmelaram
21) Heelalige
22) Anekal Road
Except for four of the larger inter-city train stations, ie. (6), (9), (13) & (15), the other 18 stations are used very little. Can city service trains be run through these stations & could they be put to better use than they are at present ? On the drawing below, one can see the planned Metro tracks (phase 1 & also phase 2, as will most likely be built) in the backdrop of SWR's tracks :
( Click for larger image )
The following CTTP recommended routes would certainly be needed since the areas covered by CRS are not going to be served by Metro routes :
a) Kengeri to City Stn - 13 km
b) City Stn to Whitefield (via Cant R'ly Stn, Baiyyappanahalli) - 24 km
c) City Stn to Baiyyappanahalli (via Hebbal) - 23 km
d) Lottegollahalli to Yelahanka - 7 km
e) Banaswadi to BMA boundary (via Bellandur rd) - 29 km
( Total = 96 kms )
The fewer interfaces with Metro might not pose obstacles & could be overcome by connecting bus services to CRS stations. There are only 22 stations over the 96 kms of track. Thus, the average distance between stations is over 4.3km - additional CRS stations would be necessary - some ideas are as follows (marked with blue spots on the map above) :
a) On Kengeri-City Stn route: (23) near RV Engg College; (24) Deepanjali Nagar Metro stn; (25) Hosahalli main rd.
b) On City Stn-Whitefield route: (26) Seshadripuram (Sivananda store); (27) Jeevanahalli; (28) Beniganahalli (ORR); (29) Devasandra; (30) Hoodi; (31) Sadarmangal Ind Area.
c) On City Stn-Baiyyappanahalli route: (32) Jalahalli (ORR); (33) MS Ramiah rd; (34) Gundappa rd; (35) Kanaka nagar; (36) Kadugondanahalli.
d) On Banaswadi-BMA boundary route: (37) Beniganahalli (ORR); (38) Kaggadasapura; (39) Chinnappanahalli; (40) Varthur rd; (41) Sarjapura rd; (42) Chandapura (Hosur rd).
These additional stations would reduce the average distance between stations to about 2.3km, which is more appropriate for a suburban rail system.
SWR might have it's reasons for repeatedly rejecting operation of city rail services in Bangalore - such rail systems are faring poorly in almost every city in the country barring Mumbai, but then in India, city rail systems are directly being operated by divisions of Indian railways whose primary focus area is the operation of inter-city train services. Further, the other transport systems in use in the cities (such as buses, taxis, etc.) were never planned nor integrated for easy transfer of passengers between different modes. Each operated independently on it's own, sometimes even competing with one another & making commuting difficult for people. Thus, most cities continue to have transport systems that are not well-knit & therefore, inefficient, & this also explains why city rail systems have fared so poorly in the country.
We now have a situation where SWR has a lot of assets such as tracks, real estate & stations, but is clearly not the best option to build & operate the city /suburban rail system. It might be best if BMRCL could become the operator for CRS, sharing the infrastructure with SWR.
COMMENTS
SB_YPR - 23 February, 2010 - 06:26
Just finished reading all the posts on this thread, and here are some of my thoughts.
First, I share the pessimism of many on this thread because IR will not evince interest in suburban railway projects due to their low profitability. Long-distance trains will continue to be given priority because they earn more revenue. Read this article for further details: <business.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/22/budget-2010-railway-railway-ministry-may-hive-off-suburban-traffic-operations.htm>
Second, as a corollary of the above, the only way to enable a CRS for Bangalore is on the Hyderabad MMTS model, with the State Government sharing half the cost. I am still not clear whether BSY & Co. are actually interested in this, particularly given that the State is already heavily investing in the Metro.
Third, not all of the rail corridors in Bangalore, either in their persent state or otherwise, are suitable for suburban traffic movement. For instance, the Yeshwantpur-Yelahanka line passes through the BEL and GKVK campuses for a significant portion of its length. Likewise, the Yeshwantpur-Chikkabanavara line passes through mostly forested area or defence land beyond Jalahalli and does not serve any major population centres.
Fourthly, the region around Bangalore still has large expanses of single line track without the doubling of which suburban services cannot commence. Baiyyappanahalli-Yeshwantpur, Yeshwantpur-Yelahanka and Yelahanka-Krishnarajapuram are instances. Some hope lies in the fact that the doubling of the latter two stretches (26 km in all) had been sanctioned in the previous budget at a total cost of Rs. 125 crore.
Fifthly - and this point has been made many times over - intermodal connectivity at stations is an absolute must. Some stations (like City, Whitefield and Yelahanka) have bus stations in the close vicinity, others (Cantonment, Krishnarajapuram, Byappanahalli, Hebbal, Kengeri) are benefited by their proximity to a major road, and still others (Lottegollahalli, Nayandahalli, Kodigehalli, Banaswadi) lack connectivity altogether. Unless the gaps are filled up, the success of the service will be in doubt.
It is a long shot, though, to expect any or all of these to materialise smoothly, particularly given the number of coordinating agencies involved (SWR, BMTC, BTP, BMLTA etc.). Short of hoping for the best, it would be a good idea for us (and the authorities involved) to identify areas needing improvement and lay out a roadmap towards achieving a final solution.
idontspam - 23 February, 2010 - 09:22
Then wait for the next decade 2020
No thats not how you solve problems. Get IR to deregulate and let go of monopoly over railways then either IR will implement CRS just to get you off their back or really let go of monopoly, in which case its easier to catch your local govt.
THe former is very much unlikely, but the latter is very much possible. Like Manish has pointed out, suburban services will be hived off and new ones may not need IR approval.
idontspam - 14 February, 2010 - 22:40
To a query on the Railways providing circular railway service for Bangalore city utilising the existing track network and building some more, Mr. Muniyappa said the Ministry has been watching the infrastructure development in the city.
“We have been watching and studying the public transport scenario in Bangalore. I’ll not make any commitment at present but definitely we are at it,” he said.
Asked whether the Railway Board has decided not to take up any new suburban railway project, Mr. Muniyappa said he was not aware of any such decision
CRS / Local train for Bangalore Vs State Govt & SWR attitude
Sanjeev - 15 February, 2010 - 05:39
Its good that now awarness is coming with people about CRS & how its important to integarte CRS with METRO & BMTC.
I think too much of discussion on CRS at every level, but no action from any front.
Refer earlier posts on Praja dt : 30th Dec'09 and 2nd Jan'10
http://www.praja.in/en/blog/sanjayv/2009/12/30/updates-railway-minister
www.praja.in/en/blog/sanjeev/2010/01/02/crs-local-train-bangalore-vs-state-govt-swr-attitude
Its fate of Banglore and Citizens to suffer on the CRS front for some more time : . Even when RITES took study on CRS on behalf of BMLTA, they did't consult SWR officers, SWR wants to do its own study as evident from BMLTA meetings. Then comes MOS Mr K H Muniyaap ( due respect to his efforts for Karnataka ) making statement that State is not yet decided on CRS, so the Bangalore-Whitefield-Krishnarajapuram track-quadrupling work could not be implemented Now SWR wants study the traffic voloume on Yesvanthpur to Devanahalli to start Local Trains.
Existing stations arround Bangalore city within raidus of 30-40 Kms are more then 22 Stations. We have more then 33 stations. Balance station list is heer :
23) Betta Hasoor 24) Dodjala 25) Devanahalli 26) Tanisandra 27) Bidadi 28) Heijala 29) Rajana Kunte 30) Dodballapur 31) Soledvana Halli 32) Gol Halli 33) Nelamangala New stations needed : 1. RPC LAYOUT 2. BINNY MILL ROAD 3. SHESHADRIPURAM 4. KUMAR KRUPA ( BDA ) 5. COX TOWN
8. NAGAVARA
9. RAJAJINAGAR
10.GOKULA
11. HMT ( JALHALLI )
12. GKVK
13.JAKKUR AERODROM
14. HOSUR RAOD INTERSECTION OF SELAM TRACK
Even RITEs study is not accepted by SWR & it looks for shorter roots of 7 Kms length similar to Mono Rail.
We at Praja need to work with all these inputs and make strong representation to SWR & Minister K H Muniyaapa / Chief Minister or Transport Minister. Other wise we will be discussing on this even for next 2-3 years.
Its time for us to act on CRS to get the things on the ground going.
Its already 10 Years, talking of CRS / Local Trains
Sanjeev - 23 February, 2010 - 03:45
No lip service should be acceptable / piecemeal efforts
The debate to have local trains / CRS between public, State & SWR is going on for more then 10 years & 3-4 times RITEs has submitted report on CRS. Amount spent on RITES study any one has idea???
In last Ten year lets look at what SWR & State have made efforts to improve on the following fronts :
1. State has called RITES for study, RITES has done study without involving SWR officers. CM / Transport minister have not bothered involve iin detail to get the CRS
2. Now we have too many cooks : IDD, BMLTA, BMTC, METRO, HSRL, Mono Rail, SWR, BMRDA. Here I feel BMLTA has moe role to play on CRS, but they do not have any authority.
3. SWR has not developed any stations in last ten years in Bangalore except 2-3 stations : Kengeri, Chikkabanavara and to certain extent Yesvanthpur. Now SWR wants SBC & Byappanahalli to be developed as world class stations. This will not happen for next 4-5 years as SWR officers are interested to run trains for Bihar, WB, UP, Kerala.
Also SBC will not start as Binny mil land is under court case.
4. Byappanahalli wcould have been developed by SWR by now as an regular station, which could have helped. Also Yelahanaka is really in bad shape & it looks like some village station. Why SWR does not own the developement of thiss tation, Railway are developing all stations in Bihar, UP, WB. Next to Yelahanka, Railway has its own factory Wheel & Axle Plant.
5. Also the doubel tarck & electrification arround banaglore could have been taken up by SWR long back. Its blame game between State & Center./ Railway
Now Bangalore will have further Traffic disturbance for the following
1 As Mejestic area will get disturbed over the period of 2-3 years for METRO & KSRTC Bus Stand, where is the alternate transport facility for this.
2. NH-7 raod widening by NHAI for 22 Kms over the period of 3-4 years.
3. HSRL will disturb the traffic on MG Raod, NH-7
4. METRO work Phase-1 & Phase-2 at diiferent parts of city will have effect on public transport system.
5. Ever growing traffic in city will further have problem.
Where is the alternate mode of Public Transport system for the above for next 3-4 years.
In this above process, we may keep on saying piecemeal efforts & No lip service should be acceptable
In the process, we see more Intercity trains starting to Bihar, UP, WB, Kerala & further SWR will take stand that it is not possible to even start few local trains.
If the SWR can start few local / CRS trains in the peak period say four shuttle services in the morning between 7 to 9 with frequency of 30 Minites & same way in the evening four shuttel services between 4-6PM. , this will help in bringing pressue on Raod.. Say even 20000-30000 passengers can start using the CRS / Local trains, Take the case of MMTS at Hyderbad, now the ridership is arround 75000 & they are planning for 2nd Phase with further investment of Rs 400 Crore, here SCR is forcing state to come forward.. In the same way CRS / Local trains can be started in Bangalore.
Other wise if seperate tracks to be needed for CRS & full fledge service required , then let us be ready to invest Rs10000 Crore, which will be in DREAMS only.
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