The Detailed Undertaking Report (DPR) for Bengaluru’s formidable Hebbal–Silk Board underground tunnel has indicated that fewer automobiles are anticipated to make use of the hall in a no-toll situation than in a single the place tolls are levied, each in direction of the town and the airport, suggesting extra visitors congestion with tolls.
This anomaly, revealed by means of a assessment of the visitors projections for the proposed 16.75 km tunnel, has raised eyebrows concerning the integrity of the demand modelling used to justify the undertaking’s viability. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D Okay Shivakumar had earlier emphasised that “with out toll, the tunnel street undertaking won’t work.”
The numbers defy logic, say mobility consultants, who argue that tolling infrastructure usually reduces visitors volumes, as price-sensitive day by day commuters, particularly these heading into the town, are likely to keep away from toll roads.
Variety of projected automobiles
In accordance with the ultimate DPR ready by Rodic Consultants for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the variety of automobiles (measured in Passenger Automobile Items or PCUs) projected in the course of the morning peak hour in 2031 for Part 1 is 1,139 in direction of the airport, and 1,343 in direction of Bengaluru metropolis in a no-toll situation.
Nonetheless, if a toll is charged in the identical part and the identical 12 months, the quantity will increase to 2,522 in direction of the airport, and much more to 2,645 PCUs in direction of Bengaluru metropolis, indicating a rise in automobiles, which finally results in congestion.
Moreover, in Part 3, with visitors motion in direction of Bengaluru (Silk Board Junction) for the 12 months 2041, the extent of service is estimated at D, indicating a restricted, secure circulate of visitors, with situations approaching these of an unstable circulate in a toll situation.
Moreover, DPR additionally warns of not less than 22 gridlock conditions at entry and exit ramps if ramp capacities will not be adequately designed or if visitors administration will not be strengthened. Among the potential gridlock areas embody the Chalukya Circle, Race Course Highway junction, Minerva Circle, Cauvery Junction, Lalbagh West Gate, and different areas. The report recommends the necessity for added slip lanes and turning lanes, sign optimisation and real-time monitoring methods.
‘DPR is flawed and unreliable’
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Satya Arikutharam, an city mobility knowledgeable, mentioned, “BBMP’s Tunnel Highway proposal upends financial concept. It reveals erratic outcomes; I feel it’s primarily modelling noise. Its visitors outputs recommend that extra automobiles will use the Tunnel Highway facility when tolled. For instance, tolling will increase visitors to the Tunnel Highway in Part 1, whereas it reduces it barely in Part 3”.
“The whole transport modelling work is flawed, and the all-important modal share is simply arbitrarily lifted from the outdated Complete Mobility Plan (CMP). It’s unlucky that BBMP, after spending one million {dollars} on this, couldn’t develop a dependable transport mannequin. The DPR is flawed and unreliable, and I don’t anticipate any credible bids for the tender.”
Rajkumar Dugar, convenor, Citizens4Citizens discussion board, mentioned, “The tunnel street undertaking is prone to do the precise reverse of what it guarantees. Any minor acquire from commuting at a mean pace of fifty kmph contained in the tunnel can be nearly totally worn out on the entry and exit factors. Worse, it can create visitors chaos for individuals who aren’t even utilizing the tunnel. If the purpose is really to unencumber the roads, what’s wanted is a severe push for public transport — buses, metro, suburban rail and extra.”