Train Halt May Ease Travel to Airport
22 Nov 2014 01:24:54
newindianexpress.com
Travelling to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) may soon be a breeze if the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and the South Western Railway (SWR) chalk out a plan to create a railway halt near the airport. With both sides showing interest in the matter, an agreement may well be inked in the near future.
Recently, SWR Divisional Railway Manager Anil Kumar Agarwal had said the Railways had no problem with halting trains near the airport if BIAL agreed to create the required infrastructure. He had given an estimate of `50-60 lakh to construct a halt at the airport and even offered to build it for BIAL if the money was deposited with the Railways.
Currently, three trains travel on that route every day. This could mean a fast trip to the airport at least three times a day for air passengers. Those arriving at the railway station and wanting to reach the airport will also have a choice of buses through the city or a train, based on the timings. When asked about the chances of a rail link, a BIAL spokesperson said the distance between the closest point to the rail line and the airport departure/arrival terminal was just 3.5 km.
"œWe acknowledge that it will be feasible to run a shuttle service from the rail link to the airport for passengers and employees for ease in travel," the spokesperson said. The facility will fit in with BIAL's emphasis on multimodal transport options to the airport which form a part of the overall airport master plan.
"œWith the intention of easing passenger experience, we are ready to collaborate with all stakeholders on newer, alternative and more convenient methods of reaching the airport," said the spokesperson.
However, BIAL did not provide a timeframe for the project or a clear indicator as to when they would approach the Railways with a proposal, stating that such projects required "˜extensive planning' to anticipate and prepare for future demand as well.
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