Bullet train for Bengaluru-Hyderabad-Chennai approved
Work is in progress across all four corridors of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after virtually flagging off an express train between Bengaluru and Mumbai on 17 May, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra.
He gave an update on the project progress: For the Baiyappanahalli–Chikkabanavara and Heelalige–Rajanukunte corridors, land acquisition has been completed and station works are currently under progress. The KSR Bengaluru–Devianahalli alignment has been jointly approved by the State Government and the Railways, and the geotechnical survey has been completed. The Kengeri–Whitefield alignment was recently approved, and survey work will commence shortly. The suburban rail network will integrate key hubs, including the airport, Electronic City, Marathahalli, and Hebbal.
Bullet train corridors connecting Bengaluru with Hyderabad and Chennai have also been approved, said Vaishnaw.
He further informed that, with a long-term vision to connect Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other major cities, the network is expected to expand to 7,000 km. The Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is expected to start soon.
Highlighting infrastructure growth, he informed that 61 stations are being redeveloped at a cost of Rs.2,160 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Nine of these stations have been completed. Bengaluru Cantonment station is being redeveloped at Rs.485 crore and Yeshwantpur at Rs.367 crore.
A total of 1,750 km of new rail lines has been constructed in Karnataka in the past 12 years and complex electrification works in the Hassan–Mangaluru section has been completed and testing is going on, said the Minister.
The Minister further stated that Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains. Testing on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru route is underway and will soon improve coastal connectivity up to Madgaon.
The Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna further highlighted that Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains covering 14 districts. He noted that a Vande Bharat Sleeper maintenance depot will be established at Thanisandra at a cost of Rs.270 crore, along with a chair car maintenance facility at SMVT Bengaluru costing Rs.52.73 crore.
Doubling of Baiyappanahalli–Hosur (Rs.1,116 crore), Bettahalasuru–Rajanukunte (Rs.248 crore), and quadrupling works around Bengaluru (Rs.1,347 crore) are being undertaken to enhance capacity.
Somanna informed that automatic signalling works are being implemented across key sections, including Yesvantpur, KSR Bengaluru, Lottegollahalli, Baiyappanahalli, Penukonda, Mysuru, and Jolarpettai, at a total cost of Rs.6,396 crore. Highlighting overall growth, he stated that Karnataka has received a record railway budget allocation of Rs.7,748 crore. Fiinews.com
