A comprehensive study on the city’s traffic and transportation planning, and integrating three modes — Namma Metro, light rail and bus rapid transit system (BRTS) — has been completed.
Besides, the detailed project report (DPR) on light rail transit will be tabled before the Cabinet shortly, Vandita Sharma, principal secretary, Infrastructure Department, has said.
Speaking at the panel discussion on ‘Urban infrastructure and connectivity to Bangalore’ organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce here on Wednesday, she said the government was also discussing a proposal to introduce BRTS on Outer Ring Road. The DPR for light rail transit is believed to cover a distance of 40 km.
On the suburban rail network, she said the government was in talks with the Rail Board for setting up a special purpose vehicle.
As part of the infrastructure planning for the city, a special policy was being framed, she said. “However, with the general elections round the corner, this may be announced only after the elections.
P.S. Kharola, managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., stressed on the importance of having an integrated and coordinated public transport system. “We need a multidimensional approach, [which] integrates all modes of transport and manages demand,” he said.
Third rail terminalAnil Kumar Agarwal, divisional railway manager, South Western Railway (SWR), conceded that Yeshwanthpur station was now more congested than City station. SWR was considering developing Byappanahalli as a third terminal in the city, he said.
To decongest Bangalore area, track-doubling between Channasandra and Yelahanka and Yeshwanthpur and Yelahanka had been taken up, he added.
Chairperson of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Vaman Acharya called upon industries to dedicate at least five per cent of their total area to waste management. The KIADB had agreed to set aside some area in its industrial layouts for the purpose.
