If the Comprehensive Bengaluru City Traffic Management Infrastructure Plan (CBCTMIP) is to be implemented for the tunnel road, be prepared to spend Rs 288 toll fee to travel just 18 km from Hebbal to Silk Board Junction. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Friday released the final feasibility report on the CBCTMIP prepared by Altinoc Consulting Engineering. In fact, the proposed toll charges are much higher than the toll charges on the 118-km-long 10-lane access-controlled Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway — where cars, vans and jeeps have to pay Rs 170 and Rs 255 for a single trip. for a round trip.
As part of the report, an 18 km north-south tunnel road corridor is proposed as a solution to decongest Bengaluru traffic. The study presents different peak hour journeys by mode in three policy scenarios to assess the impact of the proposed North-South corridor. The three scenarios identified in the report are: Scenario 1 involving the largest share of cars; Scenario 3 includes the largest share of public transport and scenario 2 includes an intermediate scenario with a fair modal share of both car and public transport.
Furthermore, after evaluating all these scenarios considering toll and no-toll conditions, the study found that the ‘without toll condition’ tunnel corridor would reach increased congestion levels in two sections and decline in ‘service level’ by 2031. Scenario 3 shows the highest public transport trips, the report says, with only an intermediate scenario collecting tolls. (Scenario 2) is a reasonable solution. The report also recommends an average toll price for cars of Rs 16/km (equivalent to Rs 288 for 18 km).
“Total mode-wise projected trips for the horizon years 2031 and 2041 for all three scenarios where scenario 1 includes the largest share of cars and scenario 3 includes the largest share of public transport due to which scenario 1 has the highest number of car trips. and Scenario 3 has the lowest number of car trips. Both scenarios 1 and 3 are referenced from the CMP (comprehensive mobility plan), 2020. Scenario 2 as an intermediate scenario with reasonable modal share Supposedly,” the report states.
“For the toll scenario, the average toll price for a car is Rs 16/km. Keeping this in mind, all three scenarios were evaluated to understand the impact of toll application on the proposed North-South Corridor for the horizon years 2031 and 2041. However, scenario 2 is considered as a reasonable scenario. is considered and is considered for further evaluation. In addition, all three scenarios are evaluated considering toll and no-toll conditions, the level of service in 2031 2 and 3 have only been contracted so it was not a viable option to consider,” the report adds.
Without tolls, the study showed the tunnel would see about 83,000 cars at peak hours by 2031 and 97,000 cars by 2041. However, with the toll, the total passenger car units (PCUs) are estimated to be 20,325 in 2031 and further increase to 26,643 in 2041.
According to the feasibility report, the north-south corridor from Hebbal Esteem Mall Junction to Silk Board KSRP Junction is to be developed as an underground vehicle tunnel connected through ramps at three intermediate points entering and exiting the main tunnel. This alignment will connect Hebbal and Silk Board Junction and offer three intermediate ramps directly at Mekri Circle, Race Course and Lalbagh, thus reducing the travel time from around 90 minutes to 20 minutes. The total cost of the tunnel is estimated to be around Rs 15,000 crore. In fact, a 58-km metro line connecting Silk Board to Kempegowda International Airport via Hebbal is being considered for the North-South Tunnel Corridor scheme.
Further, the report also highlighted the proposal for a double-decker tunnel connecting KR Puram and Nayandahalli – with three lanes on the lower deck and two lanes on the upper deck. The total length of the east-west corridor of the project is 28 km. The two-deck system consists of an upper deck connecting KR Puram to Nayandahalli Circle and a lower deck connecting Nayandahalli Circle to KR Puram.
The Surung Sadak Yojana – an ambitious project of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar – has drawn strong criticism from civic groups and many mobility activists. A recent IISc study by Professor Ashish Verma, “Scenario Assessment for Proposed Suburban Rail Network and Metro Rail Network for the Bangalore Metropolitan Region (BMR), shows that the introduction of tunnel roads and elevated corridors can significantly impact and promote public transport systems. . People will shift from public to private vehicles.
Urban mobility expert Sathya Arikuthram said, “It is ironic that the city is protesting the unreasonable toll charges at the airport while the BBMP has proposed an unnecessary toll tunnel road for intra-city travel. The report clearly ignores the public transport focus that cities around the world are naturally adopting to meet climate change targets. Metro fare from Hebbal to Silk Board will cost around Rs 50-60. The government should come to its senses, abandon the tunnel project and focus fully on expediting the metro and suburban rail projects.”
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