BIAL prepares for joint venture for rail link

Bangalore, July 12 (UNI) The greenfield Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) today said it was prepared for a joint venture with the Railways and the state government for linking the greenfield airport coming up at Devanahalli and the city by rail.

BIAL CEO Albert Brunner told newspersons at the Airport site, 30 km from the city, that the Board of BAIL was open for such a venture. The details of which, however, was not immediately available.

He said the government and the railways had realised the need for a rail link between airport and the city which had to be implemented expeditiously.

Till such time, BIAL was looking at the alternative of seeking introduction of express and ordinary bus services between the airport and the various important points in the city.

He said a plan was also afoot to have another expressway between the airport and the city.

Mr Brunner said BIAL would be spending an additional Rs 117 crore to connect the National Highway with the city.

Initially, there would be two road over bridges, with the third one planned, involved in a land litigation in the Karnataka High Court.

It would depend on land acquisition for the same by the state government.

UNI