Bengaluru: The Railways is planning to beef up its suburban rail services in the city and provide better connectivity to Whitefield IT corridor by adding nine more trains by 2019.
According to R.S. Saxena, Divisional Railway Manager, South Western Railway (SWR), two trains will start service by October, two in March and five by the end of 2018.
He said as the rail network is highly congested, the deployment of rakes will be based on patronage and occupancy.
SWR CPRO Vijaya said, “We are adding rakes as per the people's demands, but we have infrastructure limitations due to lack of doubling of rail tracks, automatic signalling and electrification."
Low awareness
However, the CPRO also pointed out that though many trains currently stop at Whitefield station, including at peak hours, there is little awareness among the people and hence this facility is under untilized.
Rail enthusiast and software professional Suhas Narayan Murthy had earlier submitted a proposal for revision of Yeshwanthpur-Hosur train timings, which was acknowledged and implemented by SWR.
As for low public awareness he said, “There are 29 trains stopping at Whitefield station during peak (office going) hours that is underutilized. Corporate employees can take the Metro to and from Baiyappanahalli and change over to the rail line to reach Whitefield Railway station.”
Commenting on what the officials can do, Murthy said, “While the rail network is congested, there are in fact 102 trains passing by Whitefield. Of these, the SWR can make more MEMUs, passenger trains halt at Whitefield station from 8:30-10 am and 4:30-7:30 pm."
He said adding halt stations would be an easier and quicker way to serve commuters and ease the traffic along the Whitefield metro corridor.
MP bats for suburban rail
Lok Sabha MP P.C. Mohan, who has been campaigning for better suburban rail service in the city, has called for immediate commencement of two new rakes on the Cantonment-Whitefield line.
In a letter to SWR Divisional Railway Manager he stated, “On September 14, I visited Cantonment Metro station platforms 1A, 1B, 3 and 4. These can be used to originate and terminate suburban trains, so as not to burden the main line. I am willing to sanction funds from MPLAD if required,” Mr Mohan said.
He also called for a halt at Diesel Loco shed in Mahadevapura and developing it to a full-fledged station.
His also wanted speedy completion of foot over bridge at Hoodi station.
