Presentation given at "Connecting the Dots - Conversation on Sustainability, Social Good and Us" seminar held at "Jaaga" on January 26th, 2013.

1. Namma Railu
A Proposal for Commuter Rail Service in
Bengaluru
By
Praja-RAAG
1

2. Praja-RAAG
The offline Research Analysis &
Advocacy Group of Praja.in, an internet
based networking platform that aims to
be a bridge between the ‘Praja’ and
those who serve them. RAAG takes up
some of the issues from the portal to
network with various stakeholders with
a view to making the idea acceptable &
mainstream.
Praja-RAAG 2

3. NAMMA BENGALURU TODAY
JAMALURU?
Photo Courtesy
Bangalore Mirror
Bangalore Traffic Police
Praja-RAAG 3

4. WHY SO?
In 2011 By 2030
9.8 Million Double 18 Million
4.1 Million Septuple (7 times) 30 Million
Praja-RAAG 4

5. HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Phenomenal Sudden Explosion
Increase in of Private Vehicles
Population
20 Limitations of 35
18 30.3
18 Road Surface
30
16 15
14 25
12 19.2
12 20
9.5
10
15
8 6.5
6 10 6.9
4 4
5 1.6
2
0 Jams 0
2001 2011 2015 2025 2030
2001 2011 2015 2025 2030
Grid locks Vehicles (In Millions)
Population (in Millions)
Source – BTP, praja.in
Source – 2012 RITES Report on CRS
Praja-RAAG 5

6. PROPOSAL – NAMMA RAILU
BENGALURU COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE (CRS)
Praja-RAAG 6

7. BENGALURU CRS FEATURES
• 405 Km in length
• 70-100 Km in radius
Reach • Connects Bengaluru City suburbs in all
directions
• 1-11/2 Hr commute times
Reliability • Exclusive ‘Right of way’
• No Road induced grid locks
• 5-10 Minute Frequency
Predictability • On time Arrival & Departure
• Round the clock Schedule
Praja-RAAG 7

8. CRS IN COMPARISON
CRS* Metro* Monorail ∏ HSRL ∏
Daily Ridership 20,00,000 10,50,000 1,50,000 30,000
Length 405 Kms 115 Kms 60 Kms 35 Kms
Total Cost Rs. 8,000 Cr Rs. 38,000 Cr Rs. 8,400 Cr Rs. 6000 Cr
Construction Cost
(Per Kilometer) Rs 15-20 Cr Rs. 200-400 Cr Rs. 150 Cr Rs. 180-200 Cr
Data Source
* - 2012 RITES Report on CRS
∏ - News Media
Praja-RAAG 8

9. 4 TIMES THE NETW0RK @ 1/5 OF THE COST
Namma Metro
Coverage
Network – 115 Kms
Cost – 38,000 Crs
Commuter Rail
Coverage
Network – 405 Kms
Cost – 8,000 Crs
Metro
CRS Routes
Routes Praja-RAAG 9

10. NR PROMISE – SUSTAINABLE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM
Benefits 18 Million people in the catchment areas
Supporting 2 million commuters per day, increase from
1.5 lakhs at present.
Taking the burden of 30% of the public transport trips
Works as high density urban transit system
Work as sub-urban commuter system
Offers reliability, on time arrival/departure
Offers comfort, savings to commuters
Offers relief on city roads
Savings in fuel, time, energy
Praja-RAAG 10

11. NR PROMISE – MOVING GROWTH BEYOND BENGALURU
8 Parliamentary Constituencies
 Bangalore South, North, Central, Rural, Tumkur, Chikballapur, Kolar and
Mandya
47 Assembly Constituencies
Benefiting 18 Million people in the catchment areas
Developing new growth centers – Towns around
Affordable housing in towns and still be able to commute to B’lore
for work
Low cost real estate, labor for small business, industries
Affordable goods transportation choice to Bengaluru and Beyond
Benefits all, i.e. poor, middle class, rich
Access to Schools/Colleges, Hospitals, Shopping, Recreational
centers
Praja-RAAG 11

12. MAJOR EDUCATIONAL, INDUSTRIAL, BUSINESS HUBS
Praja-RAAG 12

13. NR PROMISE – ECONOMIC RETURNS
Total Economic Returns - 6 times of investment
 48,000 crores in economic return on an investment of 8000 crores.
Business Sales - 3 times of investment
Income to GOK in Taxes - 1500 crores per annum
Savings in the lieu of other PT projects – 10,000 crores
Employment generation in construction, operations of
CRS
Will stimulate economic growth in adjacent towns
Scope for upward mobility of poor and economic
weaker sections
Will facilitate poverty alleviation efforts in urban and
rural areas of Bengaluru
Praja-RAAG 13

14. 2012 RITES REPORT ON CRS
In 2011 DULT retained RITES, a GOI Enterprise, to evaluate
the existing and future infrastructure needed for CRS
In June 2012, RITES submitted its report
 More than Techno-Feasibility Report
 Endorses the proposal for introducing CRS in Bengaluru
 Makes the case for immediate need for CRS backed by data
 Lists the gaps, shortcomings in existing railway infrastructure
 Lists the works that would enhance railway capacity by almost double
 Discusses the Cost, Return Value, Implementation strategies
 Laid out a ‘Road Map’ for CRS Implementation
Discussed and Considered by UDD, IDD
 Now under consideration with Chief Secretary
 CS to recommend the proposal to CM
Praja-RAAG 14

15. THE BALL IS NOW IN STATE GOVERNMENT COURT
Time now for Govt. of Karnataka to act
 Accept RITES report in its entirety
 Make a proposal to GOI, Railways
 Propose and start the process to form SPV
 Start the process for CRS implementation
 Formal Project Scope
 Abstract Estimates
 Techno-Economic Survey Reports
 In interim get railways to start additional
services on CRS routes immediately
Praja-RAAG 15

16. Transportation is not a technical problem. It is not an infrastructure
problem. It is not even a financial problem. Most often it is a
political problem
Praja-RAAG 16