Work on intermodal transit hubs to start next yr

BENGALURU: It’s been nearly a decade since the government proposed five intermodal transit hubs across the town. With the transport division making efforts to identify land for the amenities, the challenge is in the end inching ahead.

Common in overseas cities, intermodal stations help passengers shift from one transport mode to every other without hassle.

In 2009, the federal government proposed to arrange hubs in Yelahanka, Byappanahalli, Yeshwantpur, Peenya and close to Trumpet Intersection, however the challenge remained on paper. In the 2019-20 funds, the federal government introduced a new plan to determine hubs in six places: Hebbal, Byappanahalli, KR Puram, Challaghatta, Peenya and Kadugodi. However, resources say the Kadugodi facility has been shelved for now.

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In a town with a burgeoning vehicle inhabitants and being concerned air pollution ranges, the will for transition from private to public transport can’t be underscored enough. Intermodal transit hubs will help begin the transfer, giving passengers access to various modes like bus, rail, auto and taxi beneath the similar roof and addressing the worry of last-mile connectivity. However, considered necessary infrastructure must be put in place for seamless implementation of the ambitious plan. For example, the long-pending suburban rail system and the Metro network will have to be fast-tracked on priority for easy integration.

Transport division essential secretary B Basavaraju said they’re in talks with various businesses, together with BDA, BBMP, BMTC and KSRTC, to identify land. “Earlier, proposals were behind schedule as a result of land scarcity. Work on those hubs is predicted to begin through subsequent 12 months,” he said.

Namma Metro’s enlargement of Phase 1, the suburban rail system getting finishing touches on the drafting board, expanding private vehicles, dwindling BMTC ridership and a suggestion to prohibit intercity private buses from entering the town have increased the will for more intermodal stations. Traffic police had proposed to limit Mysuru-bound intercity private buses at Kengeri, Tumakuru buses at Peenya, Kolar buses at KR Puram and Tamil Nadu buses at Parappana Agrahara to scale back visitors congestion within the town.

The government has also determined to glue bus terminuses in Yeshwantpur, Banashankari, Vijayanagar and Peenya with Metro or railway stations. In fact, the ministry of road transport and highways (MORTH) has proposed intermodal stations across the nation to minimise use of personal vehicles. They will reduce visitors congestion and air pollution through using ring roads and national highways for intercity visitors, officers said.

According to MORTH, those hubs developed through NHAI will boast of world-class amenities like foot overbridges with travellators, subways, not unusual ready rooms, blank toilets and restrooms, integrated public information systems, modern firefighting and emergency reaction services and products, comfort shops, industrial establishments, lifts and escalators.

They will combine various transportation modes like rail, road, mass speedy transit system, bus speedy transit system, inland waterways, autorickshaws, taxis and private vehicles. Urban mobility professional Pawan Mulukutla said multimodal hubs are the will of the hour. “They will make certain protected access for passengers, with the exception of saving their time. The upward thrust in footfalls will lead to various industrial activities,” he said. Pawan added such hubs must be arrange close to suburban and Metro stations.

five spots shortlisted for amenities

Hebbal

Most airport-bound vehicles, together with BMTC’s Vayu Vajra services and products, go during the area. BMTC has a big land parcel on the nook of Hebbal flyover, which is lately used as a depot. BMRCL, which is planning the Metro’s airport line from KR Puram by means of Hebbal to the airport, has now sought the BMTC land to arrange a Metro station. The proposed Nelamangala-Byappanahalli hall of the suburban rail challenge also passes via Hebbal.

Byappanahalli

This is likely one of the busiest Metro stations within the town. The Metro line will probably be extended from Byappanahalli to Whitefield through 2021. It’s with reference to the railway station, which the South Western Railway is planning to improve. According to the suburban rail challenge, three corridors — Kengeri-Whitefield, Nelamangala-Byappanahalli and Heelalige-Devanahalli — meet at Byappanahalli station.

KR Puram

Okay R Puram will probably be an interchange Metro station connecting three corridors: Silk Board-KR Puram, Byappanahalli- Whitefield and KR Puram-KIA. The suburban rail’s Kengeri-Whitefield hall also passes via KR Puram.

Challaghatta

BMRCL is planning to determine a new station and multi-level parking at Challaghatta, which is past Kengeri. Intercity buses from places like Bidadi, Ramanagara, Channapatna, Mandya and Mysuru can halt there. SWR is planning Kengeri-Whitefield hall as a part of the suburban rail challenge.

Peenya

KSRTC’s Peenya bus depot is with reference to the Metro station, making the locality an intermodal transit hub. Intercity buses to North Karnataka, Tumakuru, Pavagada, Davanagere, Kunigal, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Mangaluru zones could be operated from here.