Bengaluru: The proposal for a metro rail link between Bengaluru city and Kempegowda International Airport has gained momentum with the Central Government evincing interest in this long-pending project. A meeting was held between Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha and Bengaluru Development Minister K J George at Vidhana Soudha on Friday.
During the discussions, Jayant Sinha has responded positively to the proposal to construct a metro rail link in association with the state government.

Speaking with media persons after meeting the Union Minister, George said Jayant Sinha had responded positively to the proposal of metro rail link between Bengaluru city and Kempegowda International Airport. “We have identified six routes for this 30-km rail link between Bengaluru city and KIA. After holding discussions with all stakeholders, we will finalise one of the six routes for this project. The project will be implemented under a 50:50 partnership between Karnataka government and Union Government,’’ Minister George said.

The minister said the project would be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 6,000 Crore.

Suburban rail project

The proposal of suburban rail project was also discussed during the meeting between K J George and Jayant Sinha. The project, aimed at connecting important cities around Bengaluru is expected to cost Rs 360 Crore. “We have discussed the proposal to operate six train services to connect important cities around Bengaluru. The state government will take the required measures for the implementation of the suburban rail project,’’ the minister said.

Dr Rajkumar Khatri, Commissioner, Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), Pradeep Singh Kharola, Managing Director, Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), Mahendra Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department and other senior officers also attended the meeting.