Bengaluru: Despite demands for commuter rail in the city, nothing much has transpired. The lack of awareness among the people about the presence of few trains connecting the city and the suburban areas is the biggest hurdle.
Ramanagar- Bangalore City MEMU train, every evening at 4.30 was introduced recently by the South Western Railway Division in order to meet the demands of the people and as an alternative to the DEDU train that was announced in the 2014-15 Budget, till the electrification was complete. Depending upon the patronage, the frequency of the train was to be increased, however, officials claim that it was not receiving the expected response from people.
Sanjiv Agarwal, DRM, South Western Railway says, “The response has not been very encouraging. It is just 45 percent now, so there is nothing more in the offing.”
On the construction of the Hoody station, DRM Agarwal says, “The minister PC Mohan has promised to fund the station but the money has not been released yet. We have called the tender but we cannot finalize anything until the money is released.” Rs 1.37 crores are to be released for the Hoody station and it is to be completed within six months.
