2.4.3 Byappanahalli to Yelahanka segment 

 

Station	Catchment Wards/Area	Population in ,000
Baiyappanhalli	50	31
Channasandra	26	22
Yelahanka	4	25
Total Coverage		78
No Station	Horamavu	28
	Hennur- Bagalur Rd	25
	Thanisandra Rd	25
	Jakkur	15
	NH7 Junction @ Nehru Nagar	10
Total Not Covered		103

As seen from the above table, out of the total catchment of 1.81 lakh people 56.9% of the population along the route do not have access to the service because of lack of station in the vicinity

In order to ensure full coverage the following stations are proposed along the route

Proposed additional stations

1. Horamavu
2. Hennur - Bagalur Rd
3. Thanisandra Main Road / Narayanpura
4. Jakkur
5. Nehru Nagar / NH-7 Junction

2.4.4 Yeshwantpur to Yelahanka Segment

Station	Catchment Wards/Area	Population in ,000
Yeshwantpur	37	35
Lottegollahalli	8	10
Kodigehalli	9	12
Yelahanka		10
Total Coverage		67
No Station	Gokula Extension (36)	35
	BEL /Devi Nagar	10
	Tata Nagar	10
	CQAL Layout	10
	L & T /ALLalsandra Mn Rd	10
	Jakkur	40
	Yelahanka Tn (3, 4)	49
Total Not Covered		164

As seen from the above table, out of the total catchment of 2.31 lakh people 70% of the population along the route do not have access to the service because of lack of station in the vicinity

In order to ensure full coverage the following stations are proposed along the route

Proposed additional stations

1. Gokula Extension
2. BEL /Devi Nagar
3. Tata Nagar
4. CQAL Layout
5. L & T /ALLalsandra Mn Rd
6. Jakkur
7. Yelahanka Town

2.4.5 Yelahanka to Dodballapur

 

Station	Catchment Wards/Area	Population in ,000
Yelahanka	3, 4	50
Rajankunte		10
Doddaballapur		70
Total Coverage		130
No Station
	Yelahanka Tn	10
	Kanchanhalli	20
	Naganahalli	10
	Harohalli	25
	Puttenhalli	15
Total Not Covered		80

As seen from the above table, out of the total catchment of 2.1 lakh people 38.2% of the population along the route do not have access to the service because of lack of station in the vicinity

In order to ensure full coverage the following stations are proposed along the route

Proposed additional stations

1. Kenchanhalli
2. Naganahalli / Harohalli
3. Putenhalli
4. Doddaballapur Industrial Town

2.4.6 Yelahanka to Chickballapur

 

Station	Catchment Wards/Area	Population in ,000
Yelahanka	3, 4	49
Bettahalsoor	Sonnapanhalli, MVIT, Ganganahalli	20
Daddajala		10
Devenahalli		78
Avati		37
Venkatgiri Kote		10
Nandi Hills		10
Chik Ballapur		62
Total Coverage		276
No Station
	Yelahanka Tn	10
	Kanchanhalli	20
	Doddasandra	10
	BIAL	25
	MVIT, Sonappanhalli, Ganganahalli	15
Total Not Covered		80

As seen from the above table, out of the total catchment of 2.76 lakh people 28.9% of the population along the route do not have access to the service because of lack of station in the vicinity

In order to ensure full coverage the following stations are proposed along the route

Proposed additional stations

1. Kenchanhalli
2. NITTE Meenakshi Institute of Technology
3. MVIT / Ganganahalli
4. NH-7/BIAL trumpet
5. IVC Road
6. SJCIT (Chikballapur)

2.4.7 Yeswantpur to Tumkur segment 

Station	Catchment Wards/Area	Population in ,000
Yeshwantpur	37, 45, 36, 17	141
Chik Banavara		164
Soldevanahalli		5
Golhalli		74
Bhairanayakanhalli		5
Dodbele		5
Muddalingahalli		5
Nidvanda		5
Dobbspet		25
Hirehalli		5
Kyatsandra		162
Tumkur		248
Total Coverage		844
No Station	11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16	162
	41	27
	Tarabandahalli	10
	Hesrghatta	5
	Nelamangala Cross	10
	Thayamogundlu	10
Total Not Covered		224

As seen from the above table, out of the total catchment of 10.68 lakh people 20.97% of the population along the route do not have access to the service because of lack of station in the vicinity

In order to ensure full coverage the following stations are proposed along the route

Proposed additional stations

1. ORR Junction at Peenya/Jalahalli
2. HMT Main Road Junction
3. Jalahalli Road
4. Kammgondahalli
5. Chikkasandra
6. Hesarghatta Road /Tarabandahalli
7. Shreyas Arcade
8. NH207 Junction
9. Dobbspet
10. Siddaganga Institute of Technology

2.4.8 Yeswantpur to Ramanagaram segment

 

Station	Catchment Wards/Area	Population in ,000
Yeshwantpur	37, 44, 36	104
Malleswaram	45,66	70
Bangalore City	120, 121	70
Nayandhalli		22
Jnana Bharati  (BU)		25
Kengeri		42
Hejjala		22
Bidadi		50
Ketohalli		12
Ramanagaram		80
Total Coverage		497
No Station	RVCE/Duvasapalya	40
	NICE Rd Intersection	25
	Country Club	20
	Humpa Pura/RK Estates	10
	Kumbalgodu	10
	Ghousia College	15
Total Not Covered		120

As seen from the above table, out of the total catchment of 6.12 lakh people 24.96% of the population along the route do not have access to the service because of lack of station in the vicinity

In order to ensure full coverage the following stations are proposed along the route

Proposed additional stations

1. Subramanyam Nagar
2. Srirampura
3. Binnypet
4. RPC layout
5. Basaveshwara Park / Chord Road
6. Deepanjali Metro Station
7. Sports Authority of India
8. Rajarajeswari Dental College
9. Humpapur / Rakumar Estate
10. Ghousia College of Engineering

2.4.9 Baiyappanhalli to Malur/Bangarapet segment

	Station	Catchment Wards/Area	Population in ,000
	Baiyappanhalli	50, 58	66
	K R Puram	52, 53, 54, 55, 56	120
	Whitefield	83, 84, 85	69
	Malur		27
	Byatrayanhalli		10
	Tekal		10
	Bangarapet		40
	Total Coverage		342
	No Station	Garudachar Palya	20
		Kadugodi	22
		NH 207 Junction	10
		Tarabhalli	10
		SH 95 Junction	5
	Total Not Covered		67

As seen from the above table, out of the total catchment of 4 lakh people 16% of the population along the route do not have access to the service because of lack of station in the vicinity

In order to ensure full coverage the following stations are proposed along the route

Proposed additional stations

1. ITI Industrial Area
2. Hoodi Main Road
3. Kdigehalli
4. NH-207
5. Tarabhalli
6. Malur KIADB

3 Proposition

3.1 Phase 1

3.1.1 Setup of SPV (3 months)

Thus it is highly recommended that the Suburban CRS be run under an SPV called Commuter Rail Authority (CRA) which will consist at a bare minimum the following stake holders

1. SWR representing IR
2. IDD representing GoK
3. BMTC representing last mile
4. BMRC representing metro integration

It is important the the SPV be setup first so the implementation can be done in an organized fashion. Without this each decision will be made in a disjointed fashion leading to delays in implementation and unsatisfactory end results

In 2007, the Rail India Technical and Economic Society (RITES), a Government of India enterprise, brought out a Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan (CTTP) for Bangalore. The report states that “Major developments have been proposed in the suburban towns of Bangalore by BMRDA in the BMR. This is likely to increase interaction betweenBangalore and these suburban towns. There will be need to provide commuter rail services to these towns fromBangalore”. It also says that the commuter rail system should be extended up to BMRDA’s new townships and beyond to act as sub-urban services. 

It also goes on to state “In the suburban segment, the main challenges are the creation of adequate capacity, segregation of commuter lines from long-distance lines and expansion of services to ensure comfort of commuters. Partnership with state authorities will be necessary for development of suburban rail systems. Railways may also aim at integrating the metro-rail and sub-urban rail-systems under a single management in partnership with the respective state/city authorities.”

3.1.2 Enhance accessibility to existing stations (3 months )

The railway vision plan 2020 says this on stations "However, the stations are inadequately designed and equipped to handle such large multitudes of passengers. They do not provide easy access or comfortable experience prior to boarding or after disembarkation from trains. Street-level access is generally restricted to one or two end-platforms (except at terminal type of station layouts). Inter-platform connectivity is through foot over-bridges which are often inadequate, apart from being passenger-unfriendly"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Supporting infrastructure for the Feeder Service BMTC - Proper Bus Stop, Info panels
• Preferential Access Point for Public Transport Drop Off/Pick up - Taxis, Cabs, Auto
• Preferential Parking Spaces for Environmental Friendly Vehicles like Bicycles
• General Security 24/7 around station and access roads

3.1.3 Last mile connectivity (3 months)

Rolling Stock features

It is very important that in order to make Commuter Rail useful and viable, it has to have the tight integration with city’s PT systems. Integration with other PT systems provides the commuter with point to point connectivity right from the town outside
Bengaluru to the specific location in the city. The Integration could range from Commuter Rail station at the same physical location to Commuter Rail station being little walking distance to other PT transit stations. Carriages having facilities
to carry cycles will go a long way in helping promote green last mile options. It also benefits the economically weaker
sections to save on the total cost of commuting

BMTC Connection

The lack of a proper last mile connectivity has been a major reason for failure of usage of CRS in many cities. BMTC needs to support CRS by providing the feeder service to all the CRS stops/stations in the BMTC operational area. The feeder service at bare minimum should connect the CRS stations to the nearest BMTC transit center. Looking at BMTC footprint this should be easy proposition. All it may require is some change in the route or could be an exclusive feeder loop connecting the station and the nearest transit center. Acceptance of Common Fare Card for easy transfer would be highly required and beneficial to all.

3.1.4 Upgrade stations (Smart Stations) to have common branding & facilities (3 months)

Common branding enables common facilities to be offered under single roof. It is administratively easier to provide information and services. This requires the current SWR services to destinations in the commuter rail target list also to be
rolled into the ambit of commuter rail. SWR trains to destinations like Bangarpet, Hosur and nearby towns can become Commuter rail services thus enabling common ticketing schemes and timetable sharing. This inorganic acquisition of existing services will help scale the Commuter Rail services faster.

 Information Systems

• Electronic Information Displays - Announcing Arrivals/Departures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Electronic / Manual Information Counter - Information on nearest transit centers, Business Centers, Hotels/Restaurants etc,

Fare Tickets / Smart Cards

 The Railways vision plan also mentions "Distribution channels for railway tickets would be constantly innovated so that obtaining a railway ticket is completely hassle-free. PRS/UTS terminals, e-ticket services, tickets through post offices, ATMs, petrol pumps and smart-card based tickets for unreserved travel would be expanded to improve access. New and emerging technologies will be harnessed towards this end"

• Fare Tickets/Smart Cards Vending Kiosks (Self Service)
• Fare Tickets/Smart Cards Vending Counters (Manned)

 

Common ticketing system between CRS, Metro & BMTC must be formed

 Basic Commuter Amenities

Availability of basic commuter amenities is a must for the success of the Commuter Rail and increased patronage. Below listed are these basic commuter amenities:

• CRS Travel Information/Planning Kiosks
• Customer Service - Telephone/Manned
• Clean and Hygienically maintained Restrooms
• Internet Hot-Spots
• Charging outlets for mobile devices
• First Aid Counter
• ATM / Postal Vending Kiosks
• Help for Physically Handicapped, Senior Citizens, Women with Children

Bulk Goods Transportation Facilities

The towns located around Bengaluru city are the growth centers and Commuter Rail is their smart life line for their regular commute, business trips, goods transport from and to their towns. CR can facilitate the goods transportation by having rakes for carrying bulk goods and products. One good example is seen in Mumbai's local service, where each train has a special bogey exclusively for carrying bulk goods.

3.1.5 Optimized routing of existing SWR services to create bandwidth (6 months)

Following trains which are currently running as slow/passenger trains needs to be brought into the ambit of CR.

Sr No Train No From Station Dep To Station Arr. Type of Train Remarks  

Following Trains to be completely converted into EMU coaches on Bangalore to Bangarapet for Commutre Rail
1	526SW	Bangalore City	7:00	Marikuppam	9:35	Passenger	Starting	Only 16 Kms extra & 5 more stations exists
	102SW	Bangalore City	9:20	Bangarapet junction	11:00	Passenger	This train is SBC- Arakkonam Junction
2	530SW	Bangalore City	10:00	Bangarapet junction	12:05	Passenger	Pair for 529SW, wasting 20 minites at Bangalore city
3	511SW	Bangalore City	12:20	Marikuppam	15:15	Passenger	Pair for 512SW, wasting 100 minites at Bangalore city
4	532SW	Bangalore City	14:45	Bangarapet junction	16:25	Passenger	Pair for 531SW, wasting 15 minites at Bangalore city
5	503SW	Bangalore Cantt.	15:00	Bangarapet junction	17:05	Passenger
6	524SW	Bangalore City	18:05	Marikuppam	20:35	Passenger	Pair for 525SW, wasting 15 minites at Bangalore city
7	6522	Bangalore City	19:35	Bangarapet junction	21:10	Express
8	523SW	Marikuppam	6:20	Bangalore City	9:15	Passenger	Starting
9	529SW	Bangarapet junction	7:30	Bangalore City	9:30	Passenger	Starting
10	512SW	Marikuppam	8:00	Bangalore City	10:30	Passenger	Starting
11	502SW	Bangarapet junction	11:00	Bangalore Cantt.	13:00	Passenger
12	531SW	Bangarapet junction	12:40	Bangalore City	14:25	Passenger	Pair for 530SW, wasting 30 minites at Bangarpet Jn
13	525SW	Marikuppam	14:00	Bangalore City	17:00	Passenger
	101SW	Bangarapet junction	16:30	Bangalore City	18:45	Passenger	This train is Arakkonam Junction - SBC
14	6521	Bangarapet junction	21:40	Bangalore City	23:25	Express	Pair for 6522, wasting 20 minites at Bangarpet Jn
Total 7 + 1 pair of  Passanger trains  & one express Trains running between Bangalore city to Bangarpet excluding Arakkonam can be converted into Commuter Rail
Following Trains need to be convereted into Commtre Rail once Electrification of Tracks completed ( after 6 months )
1	551SW	Bangalore City	8:40	Chikballapur	10:50	Passenger
2	595Sw	Bangalore City	18:00	Chikballapur	19:55	Passenger
3	596SW	Chikballapur	7:55	Bangalore City	9:45	Passenger
4	552SW	Chikballapur	15:55	Bangalore City	18:00	Passenger
5	YH-1	Yesvanthpur	6:20	Hosur	7:55	Passenger
6	YH-2	Yesvanthpur	15:35	Hosur	17:05	Passenger
7	YD-1	Yesvanthpur	10:40	Devanhallai	11:45	Passenger
8	HY-1	Hosur	8:10	Yesvanthpur	9:50	Passenger
9	HY-2	Hosur	17:45	Yesvanthpur	19:20	Passenger
10	DY-1	Devanhallai	13:15	Yesvanthpur	14:35	Passenger
11	221Sw	Bangalore City	9:20	Tumkur	11:05	Passenger
12	225SW	Bangalore City	13:35	Tumkur	15:25	Passenger
13	226SW	Tumkur	15:50	Bangalore City	17:40	Passenger
14	222SW	Tumkur	11:25	Bangalore City	13:15	Passenger
Another 7 Pair of Trains tol be converted into EMU Rakes after electrification of Tracks  and to be added into Commuter Rail
Effectively existing 14 pair of Trains should be running as Commuter Rail within 6-12 months and more services to be introduced by utilizing the capacity of Traks and Rakes.
We can have Fast Commuter Rail similar to SBC - Bangarpet

3.1.6 New services on identified routes including creating last mile connectivity (6 months)

3.1.7 Increase frequency on all routes to minimum 8 services in a day (6 months)

 

3.2 Phase 2

3.2.1 New signaling system (12 months)

3.2.2 New identified stations on all routes (18 months)

New Stations are listed in the section 2.4.1 to 2.4.9

3.2.3 Doubling & Electrification of tracks as necessary (18 months)

Sr No	Segment	Distance in Kms	Doubling Needed	Electrification Needed	Status / Remarks
1	Yelahanka to Yesavnthpur	12.45	Yes	Done	Already Railway Budget Sanctioned, DPR is ready, Tenders to be called
2	Yelahanka to K R Puram	15.80	Yes	Done	Already Railway Budget Sanctioned, DPR is ready, Tenders to be called
3	Yelahanka to Chikballapur	46.05	Yes	Yes
4	Yelahanka to Dodballapur	20.72	Yes	Yes
5	Yesavnthpur to Banaswadi	14.76	Yes	Done
6	Banaswadi to Hosur	51.36	Yes	Yes
7	Banswadi to Baiyyappanahalli	4.47	Yes	Done
8	Yesvanthpur to Soldevanhalli	10.78	No	Yes
9	Soladevanhalli  to Nelamngala & upto NH-4	8.00 / 10.00	Yes	Yes
10	Soladevanhalli  to Tumkur	53.22	No	Yes
11	Kengeri to Ramanagaram	32.43	No	Yes	As part of Bangalore to Mysore Doubling & Electrification, this streach electrification will be done at time.	Need to check current status of electrification
		270.04
	From the above Double Track Exists  :	96.43 Kms
	From the above Electrified Track exists  :	47.48 Kms
	Total Track Doubling Needed :	173.61 Kms
	Electrification Needed :	222.56 Kms	To check Electrification for 32.43 Kms of Kengeri to Ramangaram
	In the above   Yelahanka to Yesavnthpur,  Yelahanka to K R Puram, Yesvanthpur to Banaswadi Doubling of Track Dist : 43 Kms are very critical for  Commuter Rail take off.

3.2.5 Increase frequency to 20 trains per day on all routes (24 months)

3.2.6 Enhance Hubs to handle increased traffic (24 months )

3.2.7 Complete integration with all modes of PT systems including metro/mono/HSRL (24 months) 7 Smart Public Transport Connections

All over the world, the trend in public transport system is to integrate all modes of PT systems. Gone are the days when each one of them operated in complete isolation. In India also this integration philosophy is slowly picking up steam though have long way to go.

It is very important that in order to make CRS useful and viable, it has to have the tight integration with city’s PT systems. Integration with other PT systems provides the commuter with point to point connectivity right from the town outside Bengaluru to the specific location in the city.

The Integration could range from CRS station at the same physical location to CRS station being little walking distance to other PT transit stations. Simple access connectivity connectivity can be like this.

Metro Connection

Fortunately Namma Metro intersects the IR routes at many places in the city. CRS simply needs to integrate with Namma Metro at these locations, i.e provide easy interchange. Some of the locations that can provide easy transit include:

1. Yeshwantpur
2. Byappanahalli(Benninganahalli)
3. Kengeri
4. Whitefield

HSRL Connection

Exclusive connectivity to the new airport via high speed rail as an when becomes operational also provides the opportunity for CRS to integrate with HSRL thereby providing the commuters from the nearby towns another PT connection to reach the new airport and vice versa. Interchange with HSRL needs to be provided at both Yelahanka and Hebbal.

 

Summary

 

35 new proposed stations

160 is the possible number of services per day on all routes suggested for optimum efficiency

376 Kilometers is the approximate distance covered by the proposed routes

1,50,000 is the carrying capacity per day which can be increased by adding rakes

45,00,000 is the number of people in the catchment areas covered by the current SWR tracks

33% is the percentage of the population in the catchment areas who need access to a local station

2010 is the year for Commuter Rail in Bengaluru

SPV is the way to go for rolling out commuter services with all stakeholders being a part of this entity working together to make this a success

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