Railways to assess feasibility of suburban service

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said that he was exploring the possibility of setting up of Bangalore Railway Vikas Corporation Limited, to study the financial viability of suburban railway project.

He said that the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) had submitted a report on the Bangalore suburban railway service which is under the active consideration of Railway ministry. 

“Certain aspects such as feasibility of the project, estimation and financial analysis are still not clear. In order to study the financial feasibility of the suburban railway network and to implement the project, we are contemplating on setting up the Bangalore Railway Vikas Corporation Limited,” he said.

Kharge was speaking after commissioning the road-over-bridge at Sarjapur Road; laying of foundation stone for main line electrical unit shed at Banaswadi; flagging of Bangalore City-Nagercoil Express and Yeshwantpur-Kamakhya AC weekly Express and commissioning of escalators at Bangalore city railway station, here on Saturday. 

The minister said for the setting up of the suburban railway system, a minimum of Rs 9,000 – Rs 10,000 crore was required. He advised the State and the Union governments to join hands to execute the project and also to ensure that it sustained.26 projects in progress

On railway projects in Karnataka, the minister said that presently about 26 projects are in progress. “We have already acquired land for 10 projects among 26. The State and the Union will execute about 16 of the above projects on 50:50 cost-sharing basis. The railways has released Rs 750 crore for the ongoing projects and the State government has released Rs 341 crore from its’ share.” 

Kharge pointed out that across the country, escalators have been set up at 850 railway stations. Due to lack of funds, escalators had not been put up at other stations. 

For the execution of the Hubli-Ankola railway line, environmental clearance was required, he said and added that the Mysore-Bangalore double tracking will be difficult as there was no response to the global tender floated for the shifting of the Tipu Sultan’s armoury at Srirangapatna. 

Home Minister K J George, who was present at the event, requested the Railway minister to improve the amenities at the Bangalore railway station, that falls under his constituency. “Amenities such as canteen, waiting room, toilets, among others, are required at the Banaswadi railway station,” said George.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Parliament member D B Chandre Gowda, Deputy Mayor of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Indira among others were present.