Metro rail for Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad?

In a fillip to transportation facilities in other cities, the budget provides for viability studies for building metro rail projects in Mysuru, Mangaluru and Hubballi-Dharwad twin cities.

Considering the decadal gap between viability studies and the actual implementation of the project in Bengaluru, the tier-2 cities may have a long way to go. However, a step towards that direction is no less welcome considering the exponential population growth they have witnessed over the last two decades.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), which has studied the feasibility and prepared the detailed project report for KR Puram-Silk Board, Nagawara-Airport and other Phase 3 lines, is likely to take up studies in other cities as well.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has also announced studies to implement parking rules in the tier 2 cities for streamlining traffic management at a time where an increasing number of vehicles are hitting the roads across the state.

The budget also announces setting up of automated vehicle testing and certification centres in Davanagere, Hoskote and Maddur cities. The centres will be similar to the one that has come up at Nelamangala at a cost of Rs 15 crore.