Bengaluru: Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu on Sunday said the Central Government has committed to have a suburban rail network for Bengaluru.
The minister has announced it at a function here to launch several passenger amenitieis and railway projects across the state. He has instructed railway officials of the South Western Railways Division to hold meetings with Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George to fix the problems dogging the suburban rail network for the city.
Several leaders, including state and Union Ministers, have urged Prabhu to take measures to fast-track the project and consider a new cost sharing ratio between the Centre and state governments. “I do not agree with the 80:20 (State:Centre) ratio that has been proposed. With the cost of land acquisition to be borne by the state, the burden will further increase and I request you to reconsider this arrangement,” urged D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Minister of Statistics and Program Implementation.
While Prabhu chose to not address the issue of cost sharing, he announced that railway officials would immediately hold meetings with the State Government to begin the process.
The amenities launched include a lift at the Yesvantpur Railway Station, two road over bridges at Rajanukunte and Muthyalnagar, and a renovated food plaza at the Hubbali station. Prabhu also flagged off of a rake procured from JSW Steel under the Liberalised Wagon Investment Scheme, besides releasing a booklet on the role of Indian Railways in Karnataka.
The lift at Yesvantpur is having carriage width of 1550 mm and height of 2200 mm and is provided with hairline stainless body with LED illuminated cabins working at speed of 1.25 m per second This lift is having floor-wise announcement system. The Rs 46-lakh lift will be of great help to differently abled passengers, senior citizens and passengers with children and luggage to move from one platform to other.
With the commissioning of this lift the total number of lifts on SWR will be 11, i.e Yesavantpur (4), Mysuru (2), and Bengaluru five stations. In addition to these, five more lifts will be provided at Hosapete 92), Belagavi (2) KSR Bengaluru (1) stations.
The railway over bridges at Muthyalnagar has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 31.16 crore while the road over bridge at Rajankunte constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 27.60 crore.
