BANGALORE (Metro Rail News): In order to raise money for its projects, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is currently actively courting corporates in the city.
Sources stated, that they are in discussions with the real estate company Century Group and are considering building a new station at the Jakkur plantation that will be a part of the Airport Metro (KR Puram-Kempegowda International Airport).
The completion date for the Kempegowda International Airport is 2025, and construction has already begun. However, some experts believe that having too many stations may cause Metro trains to run more slowly and lengthen travel times. Between KR Puram and Yelahanka, the proposed average speed is 36 kph, and between Yelahanka and the airport terminal, it is 60 kph. The current average speed of the Namma MetroNamma metro trial runs of purple line extension will start in September is 32 kmph.
Commuter rail advocate Sanjeev Dyamannavar said: “BMRCL should evaluate the demand and anticipated footfall before finalising stations. VIPs who reside in that vicinity will mostly benefit from the proposed station at Jakkur Plantation. The number of stations between Hebbal and KIA should be restricted. However, while BMRCL is designing the Airport Metro like its regular services, the benefits of coaches and travel speed are not intended for airport users.
Between KR Puram and KIA, which is 57 kilometres apart, there are 17 stations, including Kasturinagar, Horamavu, HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar, HBR Layout, Nagawara, Veerannapalya, Kempapura, Hebbal, Kodigehalli, Jakkur Cross, Yelahanka, Bagalur Cross, Bettahalasuru, Doddajala, Airport City, and the KI, For instance, the Airport Express Line: New Delhi-Dwarka (22.7 km, 6 stations) in Delhi travel the distance in 19 minutes at an average speed of 70 to 80 km/h.
BMRCL is also in talks with Indian Oil Corporation (KR Puram/Mahadevapura station on Byappanahalll-Whitefield Metro) and Bagmane Tech Park (DRDO and ISRO stations on Outer Ring Road Metro). In order to connect its campus at CV Raman Nagar, Bagmane Tech Park has also proposed a monorail service from the SV Road Metro station on the Purple Line to the DRDC Metro station on the ORR.
According to a BMRCL spokesperson, “BMRCL is gathering funds by utilising creative financing solutions where corporates have been involved to augment funds.”
For 30 years, BMRCL grants the corporates a fundamental set of rights. This includes naming rights (of Rs 65 crore), 1,000 sq ft of advertising space inside the station, 3,000 sq ft of space inside the station for business use (worth Rs 25 crore), and direct access to the walkway (Rs 10 crore).
BMRCL has so far signed agreements or memorandums of understanding with businesses like Embassy Property Developments Pvt Ltd (Kadubeesanahalli station, Rs 100 crore), Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd (Bellandur station, Rs 100 crore), Prestige Exora Business Park (Kedibeesanahalli station, Rs 100 crore), and Embassy Property Developments Pvt Ltd Bettanalasuru stations, Rs 40 crore.
