Sharief leaves indelible mark with uni-gauge project

Much before the talk of metro, Jaffer Sharief realised the need for local trains for a growing city like Bengaluru (then Bangalore).

Following pressure by Sharief, a study was conducted for introducing suburban rail services in 1983. Urban transport activist Sanjeev Dyamannavar said much of the city's commuting woes would have been solved had Sharief's ideas were implemented.

"The 'uni-gauge project' and electrification of Bengaluru-Chennai line are some of his memorable contributions," he said.

Contributions
* Study was conducted for suburban rail back in 1983 when Jaffer Sharief was in the Railway Ministry.
* Rail Wheel Factory (then 'Wheel and Axle Plant') in Yelahanka
* Conversion of more than 1000 km of metre gauge railway lines into broad guage
* Introduction of trains: Lalbagh, Tippu, Hampi Express, Shatabdis on Mysuru-Chennai and Hubballi-Bengaluru routes
* Cable-stayed bridge at KR Puram
* Railway Division for Bengaluru