Bengaluru: Union Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Bengaluru Development Minster K.J. George and Lok Sabha member P.C. Mohan met on Thursday at BMRDA office in the city to discuss suburban rail among other things.
The meeting discussed the visit of State government representatives to New Delhi to meet the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and other Railway Board Officials to discuss the suburban rail proposal in detail in a few weeks from now. The state government has already sent a draft related to setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in this regard.
From left, Lok Sabha MP PC Mohan, Union Minister for Statistics D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Bengaluru Develpment Minister K.J. George at a meeting to discuss suburban rail project in Bengaluru on Thursday (Photo:DC)
“All the stake holders, including Railways Divisional Manager; representatives from Namma Metro met us to sort out problems plaguing the suburban rail. We have unanimously agreed that suburban railway should be a reality,” said Mr Gowda. “To bring the suburban rail project to its logical end will take some time,” he added.
“To control traffic congestion in Bengaluru city and provide all round connectivity is our aim. The completion of Metro Phase-I has given Bengaluru residents some relief, he said. If the suburban rail becomes a reality then we will be able to bring down road congestion in the city by about 30-40 per cent,” the Union Minister said.
According to Mr Gowda, the issues that were discussed included creating a SPV and converting 15 MEMU trains to normal configuration, which would help in carrying double the number of passengers.
Rail connectivity to the airport was also discussed. “I will speak to the centre and the railway minister soon so that Bengalureans can have the comfort of suburban railway as soon as possible,” he added.
According to Mr George, “The Centre had asked us to hold discussion and present our needs to the railway minister. We have asked the Centre and the Union Railway Minister to help us implement the suburban rail project.”
The meeting also discussed the possibility of providing an alternate rail route to Kempegowda International Airport near Devanahalli. A link starting from Yeshwantpur to Airport via Yelahanka could be provided. The state government was ready to bear the feasibility study expenditure, if the Railways came
forward by involving its consultancy arm RITES Ltd, Mr George added.
