The steel bridge planned between Chalukya Circle and Hebbal can only provide a short term solution. Eventually it will invite more traffic and become an elevated parking lot. Land scarcity is also an issue. If they make three lanes into six lanes on a highway, it will eventually choke vehicle flow.
Rather we could use that land for hospitals, houses and public amenities. In fact, big projects like the steel bridge and Metro Rail are a huge waste of public money. We know this as they are not being built for the first time. Vehicles will only increase in number because they are encouraged by these flyovers.
If the Metro Rail can be completed fast and the construction cost is affordable, it is not a bad option. But Bengaluru’s traffic needs immediate attention.. We need a quick solution, that is affordable, sustainable and causes less pollution. Commuter Rail is one such. The route is already available and can be started within a year. It is accessible from the airport as well. The railway track is already close to the airport and can connect to Silk Board. Rather than making multiple lanes, bridges and new tracks for the Metro Rail, it makes more sense to opt for the existing local train tracks. Moreover , these trains will have a higher capacity to ferry people. But the railways will have to approve this. If this does not work, the next best option is to have a Light Rail Transit System (LRTS).
The amount spent on LRTS will not be even half of what is being spent on the Metro. Also, the Metro Rail and the steel bridge will take three to four years to complete and the people, who use the former are mostly tourists, coming to have a look around the city. We need quick relief because the brand of Bengaluru has come to be associated with traffic. The amount of greenery that is lost by construction of roads, bridges and the metro has lost Bengaluru the title of Garden City. A Commuter Rail or LRTS can help it avoid this.
There is great possibility of all round development if there are multi-nodal transport systems. And last mile connectivity too can be achieved with Commuter Rail, LRT and even BRTS, which was proposed years ago. Going in for a multiple transport system that can be immediately implemented is the only way to save the city.
