The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is now aggressively wooing corporates in the city to fund its projects.
Sources said that they are considering a new station at Jakkur plantation which will be part of Airport Metro (KR Puram-Kempegowda International Airport) and are in talks with realty firm Century Group. “If the plan materialises, Century Group will fund the station,” said an official.
KIA Metro civil work between KR Puram and the Kempegowda International Airport is already progressing and is expected to be completed by 2025. However, some experts feel that too many stations could slow down Metro trains and increase travel time.
The average speed planned is 36kmph between KR Puram and Yelahanka and 60kmph between Yelahanka and the airport terminal. At present, Namma Metro’s average speed is 32kmph.
Sanjeev Dyamannavar, a commuter rail activist, said: “BMRCL should assess the demand and estimated footfall before finalising stations. The proposed station at Jakkur plantation will mainly benefit VIPs in that area. There should be limited stations between Hebbal and KIA, but BMRCL is planning Airport Metro like its normal services, so coaches and travel speed are not designed to benefit airport passengers.”
There are 17 stations between KR Puram and KIA (37km) which includes Kasturinagar, Horamavu, HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar, HBR Layout, Nagawara, Veerannapalya, Kempapura, Hebbal, Kodigehalli, Jakkur Cross, Yelahanka, Bagalur Cross, Bettahalasuru, Doddajala, Airport City and KIA terminal. In Delhi, for instance, the Airport Express Line: New Delhi – Dwarka (22.7km, six stations) runs at an average speed of 70-80kmph and covers the distance in 19 minutes.
BMRCL is also in discussion with Bagmane Tech Park (DRDO station and ISRO station on Outer Ring Road Metro) and Indian Oil Corporation (KR Puram/Mahadevapura station on Byappanahalli-Whitefield Metro). Bagmane Tech Park has also proposed a Monorail service from SV Road Metro station on the Purple Line to DRDO Metro station on ORR to connect its campus at CV Raman Nagar.
“BMRCL is raising funds by implementing innovative financing schemes where corporates have been involved to augment funds,” said a BMRCL official.
BMRCL offers a basic set of rights for the corporates for 30 years. This includes naming rights (Rs 65 crore), 1,000 sq ft inside the station for advertisement and 3,000 sq ft inside the station for commercial purposes (Rs 25 crore) and direct access/connectivity to the walkway (Rs 10 crore).
BMRCL has so far signed agreements/MoUs with companies such as Embassy Property Developments Pvt Ltd (Kadubeesanahalli station: Rs 100 crore), Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd (Bellandur station: Rs 100 crore), Prestige Exora Business Park (Kodibeesanahalli station: Rs 100 crore) and Embassy Property Developments Pvt Ltd. (Bettahalasuru station: Rs 140 crore).
Similarly, it has signed an agreement with Infosys Ltd (Konappana Agrahara station: Rs 100 crore and Biocon Ltd for Hebbagodi Metro station (only naming rights) for Rs 65 crore.
Manyata Promoters Pvt. Ltd has provided 3,000sqm land for realignment of Metro line (57sqm within its land) worth Rs 32 crore for Veerannapalya station.
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of KIA, will develop, manage and maintain two stations that will be located within the airport boundary.
“Several other companies (like Indian Oil, Century Group etc) have also evinced interest in the innovative financing scheme,” said an official.
