HSRL gets govt nod

BANGALORE: The state government has shunned opposition to the High Speed Rail Link (HSRL) to Bangalore International Airport (BIA), and given the green signal. Tendering process for the Rs 6,689 crore project will begin in a month. V Madhu, principal secretary, infrastructure development department, said a formal clearance will be given by the empowered committee in four weeks.
C Jayaram, director (projects), Bangalore Airport Rail Link Limited (BARL), said there are no hurdles in the present alignment."The project will be taken up under Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act. All legal issues have been sorted out. The financial closure will take place in five to six months time, after which it will take another six months to finalise the detailed designs," he said.
The actual work will begin in a year on a public-private partnership basis, he said, adding that the central government will be an equity partner.
In 2006, the state government proposed to implement the project under the Mysore Tramway Act, 1905. However, it had to be stalled as the airport is located outside BBMP's jurisdiction, where the Act is not applicable.
In 2009, five consortiums were shortlisted for the project: Reliance Infrastructure Ltd and CSR Nanjing Uzhen Rolling Stock; L&T Transco Ltd; Italian Thai Development Company Ltd and Soma; Pioneer Infratech Pvt Ltd and Siemens Project Venture; Lanco Infratech Ltd and OHL Concessions.
THE ROUTE
The track will run along Cubbon Road, Raj Bhavan Road, Chowdaiah Road, railway overbridge near Windsor Manor, Bellary Road, Mekhri Circle, Hebbal flyover (elevated HSRL crosses over on the right side) and reach BIA.
It will take 25 minutes to travel from Cubbon Road to BIA.