Bengaluru: The Central government has decided to take up the suburban railway project which is sanctioned by the state but is delayed. The project intends to decrease the traffic density in Bengaluru.

According to the Railway ministry, though the central government had given administrative approval to the project in 2013 itself, there was a problem of coordination between the State and Central governments and the project remained pending. Now, under self-expenditure maintenance model, the Union government has decided to take up the project.

An elevated corridor will be constructed in Metro model within Bengaluru city and 170 km railway track in the outskirts. Trains can move at a speed of 90-125 km per hour.

The Baiyappanahalli and Bengaluru Urban railway stations will be upgraded to world-class, and proposals are ready for the modernization of Banasavadi, Yelahanka, Yeswanthapur, Kengeri, Cocks Town, Malleshwaram, Ramanagara, White Field, Doddaballapur, and Nelamangala railway stations.

The project may cost around Rs.12, 000 crores and it has been decided to develop the department land in association with private participation to get income. For the construction of elevated corridors and development of railway stations, to manage the expenses and to provide needed land, the department may submit a request to the State government for the association.

There are confusions in sharing the expenditure and handing over the land. According to a senior officer, the State government is not ready to provide land as per the demand of the Railway department, which is causing a delay in this important project.