JD(S) leader M Mallesh Babu demands direct train service between Bengaluru and Kolar

New Delhi: Kolar JD(S) Lok Sabha member M Mallesh Babu on Friday urged the government to start a direct train service between Bengaluru and Kolar.

Speaking during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, he said, “Thousands of people travel daily from Kolar to Bengaluru for jobs and education. In the absence of a direct train, they face severe hardship. They are forced to travel via Bangarapete, which wastes a lot of time.”

"The Kolar–Whitefield direct rail project (52 km) was approved in 2012 and the survey has also been completed. Yet, even after 13 years, there has been no progress for this project. The Railway Minister must immediately pay attention and start the train service," he said.

He also pointed out that trains going to Bengaluru via Bangarapete–KGF are heavily overcrowded every day. The trains currently have only 12 coaches. "The number of coaches must be increased to 18," he added.