Bengaluru (Metro Rail News): The long-pending issue concerning train procurement for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) has moved forward with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and K-RIDE for the manufacture and supply of 51 rakes, each comprising three-car trainsets, for the project.
The MoU was signed on 1 September at Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, in the presence of Shri Lakshman Singh, Managing Director, K-RIDE/Bi-RIDE, and Shri Manish Agarwal, General Manager, ICF, Chennai. The signing ceremony was also attended by officials from K-RIDE and ICF.
A Closer Look at Progress of Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project
PM Modi laid the foundation of the BSRP on June 20, 2022. The ₹15,767-crore project will span 148.17 km across 4 corridors. The project has crawled at a very slow pace and faced multiple roadblocks, including delays in land acquisition and pending transfer of land from the state government.
100% Land Acquisition Completed for Only 1 of 4 Corridors
Nearly four years after work commenced on the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), land acquisition has been completed for only one of the project’s four proposed corridors, according to details furnished by the Union Government before the Lok Sabha.
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The Government’s response further reveals that another corridor has secured possession of only 7.8 acres against the total requirement of 57 acres, leaving a substantial portion of the required land yet to be acquired.
Status of the Four Corridors
| Corridor | Route | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
|
Corridor-1 (Sampige) |
KSR Bengaluru City – Devanahalli (41.4 km) | Alignment approved; land acquisition and utility shifting under way |
|
Corridor-2 (Mallige) |
Baiyappanahalli – Chikkabanavara (25.01 km) | Land acquisition completed; station works in progress; tenders invited for remaining works |
|
Corridor-3 (Parijjaata) |
Kengeri – Whitefield (35.52 km) | Alignment approved; land acquisition and utility shifting under way |
|
Corridor-4 (Kanaka) |
Heelalige – Rajankunte (46.25 km) | Only 7.8 acres acquired out of 57 acres required; station works commenced on available land |
Union Government’s Position on Delay in BSRP
The Union Government has attributed the delay in implementation of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) primarily to the non-acquisition of private land and the pending transfer of State Government land by the Government of Karnataka. These land-related issues have been identified as key impediments to the timely execution and progress of the project.
In order to address the aforesaid impediments and facilitate expeditious implementation of the project, regular meetings and consultations are being held between K-RIDE and the Ministry of Railways to resolve issues.
Despite the prolonged pendency of these matters, the Union Government has not stipulated any revised completion schedule or fresh deadline for the project. The response instead indicates that further progress remains dependent upon resolution of the outstanding land acquisition and land transfer issues through coordination between the concerned authorities. This rolling stock deal will definitely push the project forward, but the unresolved issues must be addressed in order to ensure the timely completion of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project.