No review meet on commuter rail project in eight months

It’s all about political will. The state government, which is showing unusual haste in kick-starting the controversial steel flyover project, has not conducted a single review meeting in the last eight months on the commuter rail line proposed to connect the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

Though the commuter rail is a far better, greener and cheaper alternative to the steel flyover between Basaveshwara Circle and Hebbal which has been proposed so as to reduce the travel time for airport-bound travellers, the government showed little interest in seriously exploring it. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is on record to state that he personally reviewed the steel flyover project at least twice. Besides, the chief secretary reviewed the progress of the project at least four times. In sharp contrast, not a single review meeting has been held on the commuter rail project in the last eight months. The government has not even finalised a detailed project report (DPR) for the project.

The Citizens Against Steel Flyover (CaSF) group, which is opposing the project, has questioned the “misplaced priorities of our administrators”. It also questioned the haste in executing the steel flyover project which not only costs a whopping Rs 1,791 crore but also more than 800 grown-up trees. Sanjeev V Dyamannavar, who is part of Praja RAAG, an NGO working on transport issues, said, “The commuter rail has the potential to decongest the existing road network and provide a seamless ride.”

He doubted the government’s ability to complete the flyover project on time, and cited the examples of Kodigehalli underpass, Jakkur and Baiyappanahalli overbridges which have been stalled due to land acquisition issues.

On both the projects, urbanist V Ravichandar had this to say, “The steel flyover is a poorly conceived engineering project masquerading as a solution to traffic congestion. It has powerful patrons. On the other side, suburban rail is a cheap public transport solution that leverages existing assets. But it is an orphan with no government patronage.”

An official, however, insisted that Rs 300 crore would be allocated for the first phase of the commuter rail project. “The tracks between Bengaluru City and Whitefield as well as Yeshwanthpur and Devanahalli railway stations need little intervention. We will spend the money on buying additional MEMU trains and improving the tracks,” he said, wishing anonymity.