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Written By Naveen - 26 January, 2011
Bangalore Namma Metro Analysis HSRL Transportation public transport Commuter rail metro Commuter rail monorail
Hi,
The planned gauge conversion of the existing Kolar-Chikballapur line appears meaningless & expensive since one wonders how useful it would be. How many trains will actually be run ? How many people will eventually travel between these two towns ?
It would make far better sense to provide a new line deviating from the existing Yelahanka-Chikballapur line, going past BIAL, crossing NH-207 (Hoskote-Chikballapur highway) at Sullibele, & reaching Kolar with much shorter distance. Trains can then be run between Bangarpet to Byappanahalli or even to Yeswantapur /City via Kolar, Sullibele, BIAL and Yelahanka.
This will also solve the problem of suburban rail connectivity to BIAL /DBP, etc. as also reduce train traffic cutting through the city along the City-Whitefield-Bangarpet line, which is already overcrowded.
Though HSRL is an expensive proposition, the value of a fast, dedicated rail connectivity for the airport for future needs of air travellers & employees working at the airport (& cargo complexes) cannot be over-emphasized, given that the airport is too far from city center - private parties have shown interest & HSRL can become a reality side by side with suburban rail.
Metro connectivity might not be viable since such high volumes might not become a reality anytime soon.
COMMENTS
idontspam - 26 January, 2011 - 07:11
If somebody can justify traffic on that boon docks line they should be hanged for asking justification for commuter rail line which pass thru the city. Its a comedy that tirupati train goes with 1 beggar on board and then this farcical line get made because Mr MoS can only garner that much influence.
I am sorry to say but Indian Railways is more abused by the politicians than a hooker in a red light district. Billions of rupees and the RD parade Railway Tablaeux runs with Rabindra sangeet & huge PoP Tagore busts all around. Has it been converted into Bengal State Govt Undertaking? Why does the rest of the country pay this monopoly taxes?
abidpqa - 26 January, 2011 - 10:37
Whatever that comes up within 100 km from Bangalore should be good for CRS, imo. This rail line is about 70 km if I am not wrong. May be this line could be extended around the city in the future. I am happy some extra lines are constructed. If such lines are constructed the people will use and enjoy railway and then there could increased demand.
Naveen - 26 January, 2011 - 15:15
Whatever that comes up within 100 km from Bangalore should be good for CRS
Agreed - as long as new tracks are laid (or existing ones improved) where commuters need it & commuter traffic is expected; & is not based on future political potential to win elections by our leaders.
It is clear that the existing narrow-gauge (Chikballapur-Kolar) line is being pushed for conversion by Moily & Muniyappa since they won elections from these constituencies - clearly for political advantage during next elections (Muniyappa has won from Kolar 6 times already).
The investment on this line conversion is not based on a cost-to-benefit analysis. Traffic to /from Bangalore is far higher than between Kolar & Chikballapur.
abidpqa - 26 January, 2011 - 20:10
Without this line Chikballapur and Kolar are kind of dead-ends. The trains have to start or end there that is there should be exclusive trains to those places. If those two are conected the trains can run in a circular route.
This railway line also could have enough passengers since there are lots of buses running to Kolar, Chintamani, etc. The number of buses to a place can be used as a market survey tool for railways.
This route could help long distance trains, I guess with some realignment. We could suggest the EDGE station somewhere in that region, which will reiforce the need for CRS.
Naveen - 27 January, 2011 - 04:39
If those two are conected the trains can run in a circular route
The city does not have a circular rail route yet at it's periphery & you seem to be lending support for a long rail line over 84km length (& correspondingly high costs), suggesting part of a "circular" rail connecting few minor towns with populations merely in the tens of thousands, & which are about 60km away!
In comparison, Bangalore's population is nearly 80 lakhs (probably equivalent to 100 or more such towns put together) & the length of it's ORR is about 62km - far much less than the part of the circular line that you suggest.
Besides, circular railways - wherever built (far closer in the peripheries of large metropolises) have been total failures (Delhi & Kolkata). So, what would be the fate of a circular railway connecting a few minor towns ?
lots of buses running to Kolar, Chintamani, etc.
Not between Kolar & Chintamani or Chintamani & Chikballapur. As I mentioned, they are to & from Bangalore.
could help long distance trains, I guess with some realignment
Long distance trains use either the Bangarpet route (East bound) or the Dodballapur route (North bound). Chikballapur & Kolar are inbetween these two (in the North east quadrant). So, how will this line help long distance trains & what re-alignment were you referring to ?
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