Bengaluru: The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has called for fresh geo-technical feasibility bids to explore the possibility of connecting the airport line of the Metro Rail with the KR Puram (blue) line.
Earlier, the Metro airport line was to be an extension of the Gottigere-Nagawara line of Phase-II, but now the BMRCL is considering connecting it to the KR Puram-Hebbal line to help it speed up the work on the line at the airport end.
Going by BMRCL officials, it is considering the option of connecting the airport Metro line via KR Puram, Nagawara, Hebbal, and Yelahanka to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The rail link from Nagawara to the airport, which will run for about 29 kms, is estimated to cost Rs 5,900 crore. The route will have six stations, including two inside KIA, going by the detailed project report ( DPR) submitted by the BMRCL to the government.
But it’s still not clear whether the KIA’s Metro Rail stations will be elevated as mentioned in the DPR or on ground level. Going by Bangalore International Airport Ltd(BIAL) sources, it has asked the BMRCL to construct underground or ground-level stations as an elevated station may affect air traffic signals. “The guidelines say that there should be no high-rise structures within the approach funnel of any airport to provide a safe glide path for the aircraft. Also, the ground level station will help air travellers get easy access to both Terminals 1 and 2,” explained an officer.
When asked about the BIAL’s objections to the elevated Metro stations , a senior BMRCL official admitted there was some confusion about the Metro stations at the airport. “Our DPR clearly states that the two stations at the airport will be elevated. One will at the entrance near the Sky Garden and another near the terminal. We will look at the plan again and decide whether one of the stations can be at the ground level. Our work is going ahead and only the plan for these stations is on hold,” he added.
