Budget may add steam to suburban trains in Bangalore

The Railway budget 2011-12 will be presented by the minister for Railways, Mamta Banerjee on February 26, two days before the Union budget. While the Centre and state governments chalk out the list of new trains to be introduced and new lines to be laid, members of the Zonal Railway Users’ Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) demand that suburban trains be introduced this year in Bangalore.

The proposal for starting such a service has been discussed for a long time, but plans are yet to see the light of day. Mass transit experts have pointed out that such a service could reduce congestion on city roads, and create better connectivity between the hub of Bangalore and its outskirts.

Karnataka has already undertaken to bear 50% of project costs for the suburban railway and also hand over the necessary land.

There is thus optimism that the basis for the project would be laid in the budget to be presented this month.

Members of the ZRUCC have already chalked out a map and a proposal for Bangalore’s suburban trains. Such services already run in cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. If the ZRUCC proposal is accepted, trains will ply from Doddaballapur and Yeshwantpur to City Railway Station and also connect Ramanagara to the city’s hub. Another service from Malur to Ramanagara via Byappanahalli and the City Railway Station is also proposed.

Former ZRUCC member Prakask Mandoth said that demands for such services have been made for a decade. Existing tracks could be used for the service and since most lines are already electrified, there would be a cost advantage too. At least till the service begins to generate profits, already-laid tracks could be used, Mandoth said.

Experts opine that traffic jams could be greatly reduced by introducing regular and reliable train services and travel time too could be much reduced, when compared to travel by road.

ZRUCC is not alone in working out the details for suburban rail services. The Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) has also submitted a detailed report, involving expenditure of `998 crore, for a suburban train service. The Railway Vision Plan 2020 states that suburban rail services could be introduced in partnership with state governments, which could help establish infrastructure and manage the suburban services.

These trains could also act as a feeder to the Metro lines. And in cases where tracks are doubled, there would be an added advantage as it would only create greater connectivity to cities like Chennai and Mysore (where work is underway) and towards Salem. There is a huge rush of traffic towards these cities from Bangalore. Union minister of state for railways KH Muniyappa and chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, as also other ministers, have made repeated promises about the introduction of the suburban services.