Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw assured on Monday that the commencement of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP) is imminent and will not be hindered by the absence of a full-time dedicated Managing Director in the joint venture company K-RIDE.
While talking to the reporters after a meeting with officials from South Western Railway and Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) (K-RIDE), the Railways minister disclosed plans for a circular railway network around Bengaluru to alleviate traffic issues, with Rs seven crore allocated for a pre-feasibility test.
Expressing full commitment from the Centre, Vaishnaw stated, “The time will soon come. When our government initiated the journey at the central level in 2014, significant changes occurred.” Responding to a query about project delays, he highlighted that the progress of funding the project was on track, with funding expected to be finalized by year-end, according to K-RIDE officials.
Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project details
Addressing concerns about the absence of a full-time MD in K-RIDE, Vaishnaw asserted that the project’s progress would not be compromised. He instructed the railway team to address any gaps in the joint venture company, emphasising the commitment of the Centre to fulfill all necessary requirements.
When questioned about the operational deadline, Vaishnaw deferred to both the state and Centre, emphasising the full commitment of the Centre to the suburban project. He urged stakeholders to rise above political considerations and focus on delivering essential services to the people of Bengaluru.
Rs 7 crore allocated for Bengaluru’s Circular Railway’s DPR
Regarding the circular railway around Bengaluru, Vaishnaw revealed a sanctioned Rs seven crore for a Detailed Project Report, aiming to provide comprehensive connectivity to the growing city over the next 20 to 30 years. He clarified that the project, consisting of 287 km of railway with 10 spokes, is still in the survey stage.
On the issue of frequent landslides on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru rail line, Vaishnaw attributed the challenges to the joint venture company HMRD, emphasising the need for properly qualified individuals in the project. He expressed concerns about technical limitations within the joint venture and stressed the importance of addressing these issues for the smooth implementation of railway projects.