Suburban rail: Filling the gaps

The city's fledgling suburban rail network just got a booster shot: Eight trains, a number too small yet big enough to demonstrate the system's dramatic potential to cover large distances in quick time, less money and minimum hassles. But to effectively unclog those traffic-jammed roads, the network needs to expand big time. Is this urgent need on the railway agenda?

A DH reality check on the newly introduced Banaswadi-Hosur DEMU train showed just why the network needs a collective, spirited push by the government, the railways and commuters in their teeming lakhs. In 35 minutes flat, the DH team could move from Baiyappanahalli to Heelalige, hire a cab and reach Electronics City 25 kms away. Bypassed in the process were the hyper-clogged roads enroute.

Low peak-hour frequency

Yet, big questions remain unanswered: Why is peak-hour frequency so extremely inadequate? Why are there no trains at all beyond 7 pm on the Hosur line? How quickly can the single track be doubled, electrified and prepared for fast, dedicated suburban trains so that these issues get resolved?

Bulk of the traffic on Outer Ring Road (ORR), Sarjapur Road, Silk Board Junction and Hosur Road virtually crawls during the morning and evening peak hours. Decongestion would obviously mean more trains during these hours. But how can this be achieved on a single track?

Introducing short distance services during non-peak hours will hardly be of any help, notes Bhavin Gandhi from Citizens for Better Bengaluru. "Trains introduced within Bengaluru should run trips that are at least more than 30 km long, and be punctual. Local trains should be given priority over long-distance trains barring premium Shatabi and Rajdhani trains. This is the protocol followed in Mumbai," he says.

Prioritise local trains

For Raghavendra, a software engineer awaiting the train at Baiyappanahalli railway station, a train at 9 am would make perfect sense. He had reached there by the Metro from his house in Nandini Layout. "The Ring Road gets extremely congested. By road, it takes about 1 hour, 20 minutes. I can get off the suburban train at Bellandur Road station and walk up to my office in Cessna Tech Park," he explains.

Since local train operations are still in the stop-gap mode, punctuality remains a critical issue. Pushpa Patil, who takes the suburban train to Whitefield daily from Baiyappanahalli, knows it well. She elaborates: "Trains have to stick to schedule so that we can plan better. These trains are usually delayed by one, one-and-half hours. I guess dedicated tracks are the answer."

Baiyappanahalli gaps

On the DH team's return trip from Heelalige, the DEMU train halted for about 20 minutes before reaching Baiyappanahalli station. This is inevitable, says seasoned suburban rail campaigner, Sanjeev Dyamannavar. "The Hosur line turning left towards Baiyappanahalli merges into the busy mainline. Instead, the line should be extended till the station so that mainline trains are not affected," he explains.

If this problem is resolved, Dyamannavar feels the Baiyappanahalli station's capacity could be boosted by 30 to 40%. "More slots will then get opened up. Delays on the Hosur line could then be adequately addressed."

Last-mile linkages

The Banaswadi-Hosur train has been a game-changer in many ways, although demands have now been raised to extend this to Yeswanthpur. If the existing Metro connectivity at Baiyappanahalli has made a big difference, a seamless last-mile link to Electronics City from Heelalige is critical to maximise its potential.

At Heelalige, the last mile gap of 7.5 to 8 km to offices in Electronics City and Bommasandra is currently filled by a lone BMTC bus. This service currently picks up passengers alighting from the Yeshwanthpur – Hosur train in the morning and drops those heading towards the city in the evening. For those not served by this bus, autorickshaws and cabs are alternate options, although they work out to be more expensive.

Share autos and more

Pratap, who works at a bank in Chandapura Circle, depends on another arrangement: Share autos that take passengers to Hosur Road for Rs 10 or less based on the numbers. Employees of a private firm near Electronics City have pooled in for a customised option: A 40-seater bus on contract.

Doubling the Hosur line and adding more stations enroute could dramatically alter these realities. But for that to happen, the Special Project Vehicle (SPV) on commuter rail project should be launched. As Dyamannavar points out, "These works can come under the SPV so that they can be fast-tracked. The state government and railways should immediately start work on the SPV."

A dedicated suburban rail link linking Yeshwanthpura, Banaswadi, Baiyappanahalli, Heelalige and Hosur could then become a reality. Add stations at Kaggadasapura, Marathahalli, Suryanagar, and a full-fledged commuter rail system would then finally chug in, fully loaded.

http://www.deccanherald.com/videos/watch/19515/relief-traffic-congestion-railways-launches.html