The metro line routing from KR Puram to Kempe Gowda International Airport(KIA) travel time is estimated to be around 45 minutes. The increase travel time through the metro could result in people using cabs to reach the airport from several areas of the city. In fact, the previous Nagawara-KIA route had promised a travel time of just 25 minutes. But, the new alignment takes the Hebbal and Kogilu Cross route which is said to be 9 km longer than the earlier alignment via RK Hegde Nagar and Yelahanka.
Namma Metro will take more time to reach KIA
An additional 10 stations had increased the travel time and a number of switchovers to reach the KIA. The new alignment will affect seamless travel for airport passengers from the central business district due to multiple switchovers. For example, a passenger from Majestic will have to switch trains at MG Road to reach Nagawara and again change trains at Nagawara to reach the airport. Otherwise, the passenger will have to travel all the way to KR Puram and take the airport-bound Metro or board the one from Hebbal.
The previous routing had seven stations: Nagawara, RK Hegde Nagar, Jakkur, Yelahanka, Chikkajala, one on the KIAL Road and another at the terminal.
Whereas, the new routing has 17 stations: KR Puram, Channasandra, Horamavu, Kalyan Nagar (Babu Sahib Palya), HRBR Layout, HBR Layout, Nagawara, Veeranna Palya, Kempapura Cross, Hebbal, Kodigehalli, Jakkur, Kogilu Cross, Peripheral Ring Road (Bagalur), Trumpet Intersection and two stations at KIA.
A daily traveler fears New Airport Corridor
“If the Metro ride itself takes 45 minutes, it’d take more than 1 hour 15 minutes for passengers from areas like Rajajinagar, Chickpet, and Koramangala, considering the time taken to reach the nearest Metro station, changing lines, waiting for trains, etc. This means they can take a cab or BMTC bus to reach airport faster,” Sanjeev Dyamannavar, a commuter rail activist, said.
“The new alignment will benefit mostly those going to the airport from areas along the Outer Ring Road. In fact, they have unilaterally decided the new route via Hebbal without even taking public inputs,” he added.
The cost of Metro’s new alignment will be more expensive than the previous alignment. The earlier line planned from Gottigere to Nagawara and then to KIA was supposed to cost Rs 5,900 crore. But now the new alignment from KR Puram-KIA will cost an estimated Rs 10,584.1 crore.
