L-R: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Hari Marar, MD and CEO, BIAL and Ajay Seth, MD, BMRCL
Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) to establish the 4.95 km airport section of the ORR-Airport Metro.
This is being developed at an estimated cost of ₹800 crores.
This airport section forms a part of the total 56 km metro line named ORR-Airport Metro from Central Silk Board Junction to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru Terminals via KR Puram and Hebbal.
While BMRCL will construct the airport metro section, along with civil, electro-mechanical, other associated facilities, works and related assets, BIAL will develop, manage and maintain the two metro stations, located within the airport boundary.
The two stations are likely to see the daily ridership of 0.6 lakh commuters in 2024, increasing to 1.88 lakh commuters by 2041.
The civil work is expected to commence in March 2021.
B S Yediyurappa, chief minister of Karnataka said, “All agencies of the state and central governments and stakeholders in the city should work in tandem towards the goal of the comprehensive and integrated multi-modal connectivity infrastructure for the new century as set by Prime Minister in his address to the nation on the 74th Independence Day.”
Hari Marar, managing director and chief executive officer, BIAL said:
“At BIAL, we are extremely excited to participate in enabling metro connectivity to and from the airport, creating the potential for easy access between Bengaluru and the airport.
“There is an increasing need to offer seamless experiences, and BIAL is committed to offering travel options to simplify the passenger journey.”
In other news, BIAL has also signed MoU with Indian Railways for the construction of the Kempegowda International Airport Railway Station (Halt).
The construction of this railway station is near completion and is scheduled to be operationalised shortly.
BIAL will provide free shuttle service from the airport halt station to the terminal and other parts of the airport, as per the schedule of the train services.
The two projects will facilitate the effortless movement of citizens and also reduce traffic congestion on the roads leading to the airport.
Bengaluru airport tweeted:
