Metro to BIA?

BANGALORE: Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited is all set to take over the High Speed Rail Link (HSRL) project connecting Bangalore International Airport and BRV Parade Grounds from the Bangalore Airport Rail Link Ltd. The latter was formed under the Karnataka State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation exclusively for the project.Sources said that the BMRCL was  currently in the process of considering a private party for the Public Private Partnership project from five bidders, who  had earlier qualified at the Request For Qualification (RFQ) stage.  Answers to questions such as whether the line will remain a high-speed link or will it be a Metro line or will there be differential fare system on a Metro remain unclear as sources say that it would depend on the private party’s commercial interest too. Though, a reliable source added that differential fares were being considered. The 35 km rail link is estimated to cost about Rs. 5,800 crore and the distance is expected to be covered within 30 minutes with stations at Cubbon Road, Hebbal and Yelahanka. While, a Metro link will take about 50 minutes to cover the same.