Karnataka government trying to revive Light Rail Transit network for Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Never short on ambition, the Karnataka government is trying to revive a six-year-old project to provide a 40-km Light Rail Transit (LRT) network for Bengaluru, this time by seeking private investment.

Similar to tramways but with a higher passenger capacity, the LRT mode of mass transit exists in cities such as Nottingham (UK), Salt Lake City (USA) and Valencia (Spain).

It is among the many projects to be showcased at Invest Karnataka, the first global investors' meet for chief minister Siddaramaiah's government, to be held in February .

The project was initially mooted to supplement the city's bus transport system and act as a feeder network for Namma Metro. From Rs 5,600 crore in 2010, the estimated cost of the project is now Rs 10,875 crore.

"We are ready with the detailed project report. The LRT will have a capacity of 15,000-40,000 peak hour peak direction passenger trips (phpdt), which is very similar to the Metro," said C Jayaram, director (projects) at Bangalore Airport Rail Link Limited, a special purpose vehicle anchoring the project.


The LRT will have two corridors: JP Nagar to Hebbal on the outer ring road (31.3 kms) and toll gate to peripheral ring road on Magadi road (10.6 km). "The government feels that this project can be taken up through private investment. Any investor interested can take it up," Commissioner for Industries and Commerce Gaurav Gupta said.

Interestingly, LRT is one of the four mass rapid transit systems the Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Study recommended for Bengaluru in 2007.

Experts, however, are worried over its implementation. The other three are: Metro, Bus Rapid Transit System and commuter rail.

"LRT is a fantastic idea and given that the outer ring road has a good median, the project will require minimal land acquisition," said RK Misra, a member of the 17-member vision group on industry . "But I hope it won't get scuttled by Namma Metro. The Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) did not take off because BMRCL didn't want it on the outer ring road."

Transport expert Vinoba Isaac, who is the CEO at SLS Transport Training Institute and Consultancy , cautioned the government that mass public transport is not an attractive area for the private sector. "There are limited revenues. Ticket prices, for example, cannot be set very high," he pointed out. "We also need to ensure land use pattern will suit the LRT."