Model HSRL on Shanghai: FKCCI

A two-tier ‘Shanghai-model’ system for the proposed high-speed rail link (HSRL) would bring down the project cost considerably and trouble to people, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has said.

The government is planning to build the Rs5,700-crore HSRL project connecting the city to the Bangalore International Airport (BIA) at Devanahalli. It will start from BRV Grounds and will have two stoppages at Hebbal and Yelahanka before reaching the airport, covering a distance of 34 km in 25 minutes.

HSRL will run along the right side of National Highway-7 (NH-7) to reach BIA, and it is estimated that 162 acres have to be acquired, of which 130 acres are private and National Highways Authority of India lands. The compensation would be about Rs532 crore for private lands while the government and BBMP properties will be acquired free of cost.
NS Srinivasa Murthy, president, FKCCI said, “The government should utilise the existing infrastructure —  the NH-7 and other roads including the flyovers on this stretch — for both road and rail links together on the lines of Shanghai model."