DELHI (Metro Rail News): On May 17, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off a new express train between Bengaluru and Mumbai. During the event, Vaishnaw also announced that the much awaited Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is also expected to start soon.
The new service train nm. 16553/54 SMVT Bengaluru – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express will improve connectivity between the two major cities. Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna said the train would benefit passengers travelling on one of the county’s busiest rail routes and support Karnataka’s growth.
Vande Bharat Sleeper on the way
Vaishnaw said Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains. He added that testing on the Bengaluru – Mangaluru route is underway and services could soon extend up to Madgaon. It will improve coastal connectivity. The Railway Minister also mentioned that Indian Railways plans to start the Bengaluru – Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper service soon.
Big railway projects underway in Karnataka
According to the Railway Minister,
- Karnataka has received a railway budget allocation of Rs 7,748 crore
- Around 1,750 km of new railway lines have been constructed since 2014
- Nearly 3,742 km of railway lines have been electrified
- The state is now close to 100% railway electrification
Officials also completed electrification work on the Hassan – Mangaluru section and testing is currently underway.
Station redevelopment projects
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Indian Railways is redeveloping 61 stations in Karnataka at a cost of Rs 2,160 crore. So far nine stations have been completed. Major projects include,
- Bengaluru Cantonment Railway Station redevelopment at Rs 485 crore
- Yashwantpur Railway Station redevelopment at Rs 367 crore
Suburban Rail Project progress
The Railway Minister also mentioned that work is progressing in all four corridors of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project. Key updates includes,
- Land acquisition completed for Baiyappanahalli – Chikkabanavara corridor
- Land acquisition completed for Heelalige – Rakanukunte corridor
- Station construction work currently underway
- KSR Bengaluru – Devanahalli alignment approved jointly by the state government and railways
- Geotechnical survey completed for the Devanahalli route
- Kengeri – Whitefield alignment recently approved
- Survey work on the corridor to begin soon
Officials said that the suburban rail network will connect major areas including the airport, Electronic City, Marathahalli and Hebbal.
More rail expansion around Bengaluru
Indian Railways is also working on several line expansion projects, including:
- Baiyappanahalli – Hosur doubling project worth Rs 1,116 crore
- Bettahalasuru – Rajanukunte doubling project worth Rs 248 crore
- Quadrupling work around Bengaluru worth Rs 1,347 crore
V. Somanna also said that Indian Railways will build,
- A Vande Bharat sleeper maintenance depot at Thanisandra worth Rs 270 crore
- A chair car maintenance facility at SMVT Bengaluru worth Rs 52.73 crore
Indian Railways is also introducing automatic signaling systems across several major sections including Yesvantpur, KSR Bengaluru, Lottengollahalli, Baiyappanahalli, Penukonda, Mysuru, Jolarpettai. The total cost of these signaling works stands at Rs 6,396 crore.
Somanna also mentioned that the number of ROBs and RUBs in Karnataka has increased from around 150 before 2014 to 707 now. Indian Railways is planning to complete 1146 more within the next year and remove all level crossings over the next 3 years.
Bullet Trains corridor also approves
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the central government has approved bullet train corridors connecting Bengaluru to Hyderabad and Chennai. He added that the long term plan includes expanding the high-speed rail network to nearly 7,000 km and linking major cities such as Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Also Read: Amritsar-New Jalpaiguri Amrit Bharat Express flagged off by the Union Minister
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