Metro Rail to link city with Dum-Dum Airport
Monday, 17 Nov 2008 04:59
KMRC has engaged RITES for preparing the detailed project report of the probable expansion. The funding agency for the Metro project, Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), has agreed to fund the extension.
The decision came after a study commissioned by the transport department emphasized Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) connectivity between the Dum-Dum airport and the rest of Kolkata city. Currently, the annual passenger handling capacity of the two airport terminals is six million. Once the new airport terminal becomes operational, it will jump to 20 million. While 6,000 private cars and taxis now visit the airport daily, the figure will go up to 24,000 after modernization.
According to KMRC the MRTS can take a lot of pressure off its passenger-dispersal system. Airports in most major cities of the world are linked with an efficient MRTS, but Kolkata still remains an exception.
"The target is to complete the link by 2010, when the Dum-Dum Airport modernization project will be completed and the new terminal building will become operational," a senior airport official said. The tracks will extend over Kestopur canal to VIP Road and cover almost the entire length of the stretch before going underground near its junction with the road heading right towards the airport. The airport station may be integrated with the underground car parking of the new terminal.
The state transport department has planned a four-lane flyover from Chitpore to the Lake Town-VIP Road crossing. The existing Circular Railway connection between Dum-Dum junction and the airport may be made a part of the Metro route. Metro Rail is studying the project feasibility. "The survey will be completed November 2008," said a Metro official.
The decision came after a study commissioned by the transport department emphasized Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) connectivity between the Dum-Dum airport and the rest of Kolkata city. Currently, the annual passenger handling capacity of the two airport terminals is six million. Once the new airport terminal becomes operational, it will jump to 20 million. While 6,000 private cars and taxis now visit the airport daily, the figure will go up to 24,000 after modernization.
According to KMRC the MRTS can take a lot of pressure off its passenger-dispersal system. Airports in most major cities of the world are linked with an efficient MRTS, but Kolkata still remains an exception.
"The target is to complete the link by 2010, when the Dum-Dum Airport modernization project will be completed and the new terminal building will become operational," a senior airport official said. The tracks will extend over Kestopur canal to VIP Road and cover almost the entire length of the stretch before going underground near its junction with the road heading right towards the airport. The airport station may be integrated with the underground car parking of the new terminal.
The state transport department has planned a four-lane flyover from Chitpore to the Lake Town-VIP Road crossing. The existing Circular Railway connection between Dum-Dum junction and the airport may be made a part of the Metro route. Metro Rail is studying the project feasibility. "The survey will be completed November 2008," said a Metro official.
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