Traffic experts believe that a decongestion of city roads can happen only with a coordinated transport network between the Metro, the proposed mono rail, the city bus service and the proposed bus rapid transit system.
Traffic engineering expert M.N. Sreehari points out that Namma Metro can decongest city roads only by just 25 per cent, and that too along its corridor. Only when this corridor is networked with other modes of public transport can visible change occur on Bangalore's roads, Prof. Sreehari said.
Prof. Sreehari pointed out that Namma Metro Phase 1 and Phase 2 will not be sufficient to cater to the growing demand for public transport in Bangalore. Along with other modes, more Metro lines should criss-cross the city as early as possible to reduce the pressure on roads.
Mono rail
On the other hand, the proposed Mono Rail Corridor 1 will start from Bannerghatta Road and pass via Banashankari, Kathriguppe, Nayandahalli, Bangalore University Campus, Kottigepalya (Magadi Road), Tumkur Road Junction (Yeshwanthpur), Lottegollahalli before culminating at Hebbal. This corridor almost falls on the Outer Ring Road except the stretch inside the Bangalore University Campus. Corridor 2 will start from the Peripheral Ring Road Junction of Magadi Road and traverse through Magadi Road cutting across the Bannerghatta Road–Hebbal corridor at Kottigepalya to reach the Magadi Road Toll Gate.
Land acquisition
According to V. Madhu, Principal Secretary to Government (Infrastructure Development Department), land acquisition is likely to start in February next Once the mono rail is complete, it will offer seamless traffic integration between the Metro and road transport. Its project, estimated to cost Rs. 140 crore per km, is expected to carry 10,000 passengers in peak hours in one direction.
Bus rapid transit
The Government will also create a bus rapid transit system on the proposed Peripheral Ring Road as well as between Kengeri Satellite Town and Banashankari; Banashankari VI Stage and Katriguppe; Bannerghatta Road to Hebbal via Krishnarajapuram; Hebbal to International Airport and on the Inner Core Ring Road connecting Yeshwanthpur, Basavanagudi, Anepalya and Ulsoor.
‘New Bangalore'?
But it appears that the infrastructure planned for public transport will be outdated by the time of their completion because of the ever-increasing demand. Hence, Prof. Sreehari suggested the creation of “New Bangalore” on less developed corridors outside Bangalore — either Tumkur Road or Magadi Road or Mysore Road.
The Government should acquire about 500 sq km of land and create infrastructure scientifically before allowing habitation, he said.
