Another solution to Airport Connectivity Woes
Its pleasing and too see the future plans of the railway in the pipeline, but I guess the real test is to implement it.
This new high speed railway is scheduled to be operational by 2011, and will cover the distance of 35 kilometres from M G Road to the new airport in just less than 20 minutes. It is equable with other such models such as the Heathrow or Gatwick Express. The new train will have a station at B R V Grounds right on M G Road. This will in turn be connected/compliment the Metro Rail station.
So why do we wait for the railway to come up? We should build the station right away. Instead of the train run busses every 10 minutes.
Let the station be a rapid transit centre for all air travellers. Based over many levels there could be ample parking, and the check-in facility. Ticketing offices could compliment this centre, making it one step closer to the airport.
The platform, could have a road temporarily instead of tracks and the low floor Volvos could start here.
While arriving, there could be prepaid taxis and auto stands (run by KSTDC if they please), hotel bookings, tourist info and all other amenities. In fact if we planned it well enought, passengers should be able to check-in thier baggage untill the station from thier origin.
The only difference between the stations now and then is the bus opposed to train.
I have noticed that in India, many of us are hesitant to taking a bus to catch a plan. We either insist on sitting in the back seat of the car, or bring dropped meters away from the check-in desks. Maybe because air travel until now was more “premium” than other modes. But logically a air-conditioned bus, with WiFi and a helper should be a equally premium option, and more viable and cheaper!
In all airports that I have travelled outside India (Heathrow, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Chaleroi...), the bus seems to be the quickest, easiest and cheapest way into town. And many people use it. If we followed the same theory here it would help us ease a lot of congestion.
We need some initiative, private participation, and public co-operation to address the urgent issues. It is disappointing across India to see the first model PPP s not being operational due to connectivity woes. Someone’s been sleeping, and we just blame the operator!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Parking, and the check-in facility at the stations would be a boon. Save a lot of stress...lets keep a close watch on the developments considering the opening of the airport is now scheduled for May 10th or the 11th.
Next issue to be discussed/tackled is that of the autos here. I'm completely exasperated by the attitude. The recent revision in fares has not done much to change anything so far. Can anyone think of any way to solve this!
(Sorry for off topic comment. I tried mailing your hotmail id but the mail bounced).
Dear Narayan,
I am one of the administrators of http://bangalore.praja.in and am writing to invite you to the site.
I have had an opportunity to go through your blog at http://ibengaluru.blogspot.com and am impressed by your ideas on topics related to BIAL and its connectivity issues.
Praja is a group of people who share similar ideas and I am sure it would be mutually beneficial if you can contribute to praja. You would get a more targeted audience for your ideas and a richer discussion. Please take time and have a look at the various writings and discussions on the site.
You can start writing comments and forum topics once you register but for blogging rights you have to be specifically enabled. I would be happy to do that if you wish to.
Do let me know if you need any more information.
Regards,
Shastri
I agree 100%. Park and Ride is the way to go - we need to get used to using public transport and to stop doing last minute patch-up jobs on infrastructure.
Post a Comment