Railway Minister Piyush Goyal optimistic about suburban rail

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT THE HINDU Bengaluru

JANUARY 18, 2018 

Piyush Goyal 

Expresses confidence of taking the project to logical end

After a surprise inspection of Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna City Railway Station, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence of taking the suburban railway project to its logical conclusion. Bengalureans have been hoping for a suburban rail on the lines of the one in Mumbai to de-congest the city, but the project has remained on paper for over two decades.

The minister said that if the State government provides five floor -space -index (transit oriented development) the proposed suburban network can be completed with the cost borne equally by the State government and the Railways. He is ready to reduce the State government's share from 80% as proposed earlier to 50%.

Comprehensive plan

The minister said, "A comprehensive plan has been prepared to build a suburban network 160 kilometres in Bengaluru. Half of the proposed railway line will be built at the ground level and the remaining as an elevated corridor. We are confident of clearing the decks to implement this project. There is a need to integrate the railway line with metro stations, which help passengers travel in either mode of transport. We need to connect the international airport, and Electronics City and Whitefield, which will help Bengalureans."

He added that there is a proposal to develop major railway stations around the city.

Union Minister Ananth Kumar, who accompanied Goyal during his visit, said, "The seven radial lines which lead to Kengeri, Yelahanka, Baiyappanahalli and other places could be doubled and electrified to operate suburban trains. There is a need to integrate metro stations at various points to de-congest the city. RITES, which had undertaken a study, had reported that a suburban railway network on the lines of the one in Mumbai will help 35 lakh passengers in Bengaluru, and that is the only way out to de-congest the city.”