Riyadh Metro

                                                                         Riyadh Metro

A metro rail system, which is a preferred mode of rapid transit across the globe, is said to be a “harbinger of prosperity”, once it is completed. And, it is true as in the cases of, New York Subway, London Underground, Paris RER and Shanghai Metro. All of them have become significant financial centres, after rapid transit systems were introduced in these cities. Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is expected to swell to 12 million by 2020, double of its present population. And it is in desperate need of a metro system.

There are various modes of transportation within cities. The most common ones are by bus and rail. Light rail/tram systems are not possible in Riyadh, where the topography requires heavy infrastructure. There is the intracity bus service, SAPTCO, which is not really a successful venture. But, there are high hopes for the Riyadh metro to be an effective transit system.

I live in Riyadh and my school takes about 30 minutes to reach even without traffic. But, I always get stuck in peak hours of traffic. So another 30 minutes of my time is lost. I have to start from my home 1-and-a-half hours before the school begins. My classmates, teachers, dad’s office colleagues, company employers etc. all experience this very same problem. As the proverb goes, “Time and tide waits for none”.  In these times, a metro comes in “very handy”. It surely saves valuable time of everyone living here.

Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries in the world, where women are not allowed to drive. It is very understandable and everyone, whether he/she is/isn’t a Saudi citizen, has to respect the laws here. Due to this constraint, women are allowed to venture out, only in the company of male. The completion of the metro, might bring more “social freedom” to them. There have been reports that some compartments might be “exclusive” only for women/children.

The stations for the purpose of changing trains have been selected conveniently. Olaya is a posh, financial area while King Abdullah Financial District is an upcoming “smart” city. A third one is also being planned. The six lines too have been effectively chosen as they connect prime areas of Riyadh.

An important feature of this metro system, which might not be included in other global cities, is the introduction of a minibus service which would serve residents who don’t have access to metro stations nearby. The minibus would take him/her to the closest station.

It is not necessary for me to elaborate on the environmental advantages of not only this metro system, but any other around the world. Renewable energy will be used for all metro stations. All of them will have sufficient parking space, WiFi facilities etc. But, I think another crucial feature is that this will reduce the no. of growing accidents in the city. Reckless driving and the problem of crossing the speed limit can be solved by using this metro.

To sum it up, the Arriyadh Development Agency says, “For every SR1 spent on Riyadh Metro, SR3 will be generated in terms of savings from direct and indirect costs due to pollution, energy consumption, road accidents, lack of efficiency, and lack of performance.”

Come 2019, Riyadh will usher in a “new age of unprecedented fortune, economic affluence and state-of-the welfare for its citizens”.

Revival of the HAL

 Revival of the HAL

Bangalore is a symbol of the new, modern India. With its flourishing IT & electronic industries as well as its great hospitality, it is a great location for starting any kind of entrepreneurial activity. Bangalore is served by the Kempegowda International Airport and though it started operations only from 2008, it is already the fourth busiest in India in terms of passenger traffic. The number of passengers arriving in the “Silicon City” has increased by 30% in both domestic & foreign areas. 

There have been reports of the KIA reaching “saturation” (such as one published by the AAI in 2011); but have been strongly denied by the KIA management, who feel that the expansion of the airport would solve all issues.  

On the lines of the AAI, I strongly feel that the old HAL Airport must be revived to deal the increasing air traffic. The KIA should be used for both domestic & international purposes, but mainly for tourism, business as well as diplomatic visits. The HAL airport should serve the domestic air routes for the residents of Bangalore. Ask any citizen of cities having more than 2 airports, ex: in Chicago. The O’Hare airport is one of the world’s busiest airports. It handles 66 million passengers in a year, not to mention also in cargo traffic and traffic movements. Not surprisingly, many people natives call it a “huge mess” and “always hassle to get through”. In these times, they use the second airport which is easier to manage, and not so busy. We surely do not want Bangalore to get as “messy and crazy” as the O’Hare, so the revival and development of the HAL must take place so, if not immediately.  

It takes minimum one and a half hours from the city center to reach Bangalore new airport. But, now, since HAL has become obsolete, it takes 15-20 minutes by road to reach. True, “Namma Metro”(metro system in Bangalore) will help in reducing traveling time, yet the time taken from Bangalore City Junction or Kempegowda Bus Terminal to reach both the airports is approximately same, so people would not lose valuable time if they use the old airport. Taxis to the KIA charge more than Rs.500 (approx. $8). I really don’t know whether fleecing is involved here, but the toll charges there does cost some huge amount of money.  

These second airports would also help in serving as smaller airline’s primary hubs. The KIA was used by the defunct Kingfisher; now it is operated by Air Asia India. With the number of new as well as planned airlines in India coming up, the HAL should attract them into making it as their prime focus.   

And the best thing is that you do not have to waste billions of rupees by building a second airport. However, there has to a total revamp in the structure of the HAL Airport. It has to look more modern, trendy as well as eco-friendly. The environmentally-friendly aspect is very important, as the KIA is a significant contributor to air pollution levels in Bangalore.  

Interestingly, a study has found that metros with more than a single airport has better success rates of city governance. 

If we have to look Bangalore as one of India’s most developed cities, it is important to have another airport, not only for economic causes, but also for tourism, infrastructural and environmental reasons. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the HAL must be reestablished and allowed to function.