Among the many things that India’s supply chain sector has learnt over the last decade, multimodal connectivity holds an important place. It is hailed as one of the critical tools towards reducing India’s logistics cost and making the entire logistics ecosystem more efficient. With that thought in mind, a Multi-Modal Transportation Hub (MMTH) is being established at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru. It is set to become a vital junction for various transportation modes, augmenting connectivity to and from the city.
According to source placed at the Bengaluru International Airport Ltd. (BIAL), the MMTH is in the advanced stages of construction, with some sections completed, and shall be operational soon. It shall then be at part with the MMTHs at Zurich (Switzerland) and Heathrow (London, England) airports.
Private car parking, taxi services, and buses operated by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will all be made available under a common airport ‘roof’, and all this will in turn be connected to the upcoming Bengaluru Airport metro. This ‘single roof’ concept will become a USP at the KIA.
The MMTH, which will stretch out roughly across 1.39 lakh square metres, will be separated from Terminals 1 and 2 by 800 meters and 100 meters respectively. Both the terminals will be connected by shuttle buses operated by BIAL. A walkway will connect the MMTH to the airport metro station.
While Phase 1 of the MMTH is likely to be operational in a couple of months, Phase 2 and the KIA terminals metro station (KR Puram-Hebbal-KIA metro corridor) will take another three years.
The MMTH concept promotes using the airport to link all modes of transportation – freight rail, interstates, transit and seaports – with air transport, and forms a multi-dimensional development complex focused on office, industrial and distribution activities. MMTHs strengthen synergies between transportation modes to improve all levels of access, allowing metropolitan areas to serve as both consolidation and distribution points in the new global network.
While not much details have been given in regards to the benefits of the MMTH at Kempegowda towards movement of cargo, we expect the following efficiencies to be derived from it –
Improved connectivity: The MMTH can provide better connectivity between different modes of transportation, such as air, rail, road, and sea, thereby, helping streamline the movement of cargo and reduce transit times.
Reduced costs: By integrating different modes of transportation, it can help to reduce transportation costs for cargo. For example, if cargo can be transported by rail or sea instead of by road or air, it may be cheaper.
Increased efficiency: By centralizing logistics operations, it may help to improve efficiency in cargo transportation to and from the airport, across the state of Karnataka. For example, cargo can be consolidated and loaded onto the most appropriate mode of transportation, reducing the need for multiple transfers and handling.
Improved tracking and visibility: The MMTH may provide better tracking and visibility of cargo, which can help to improve supply chain management. By using technology such as RFID tags and GPS tracking, cargo can be monitored throughout its journey, providing real-time data on its location and condition.
