Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa was all praise for the second railway budget presented by Mamata Bannerjee on Wednesday. However, her deputy KH Muniyappa’s assurance of introducing local suburban railway services in Bangalore not finding a mention in the budget has forced Yeddyurappa to go more pro-active to get local trains for Bangaloreans.
“I am happy that Mamata has taken care of most of the demands we had presented before the budget. It is one of the best for Karnataka in the last 60 years. She has announced eight new railway projects in Karnataka on a cost-sharing basis with the Government of Karnataka. Another five projects have been announced under the public-private partnership basis, four new railway lines are being taken up and 15 new trains, including extension of services, are being introduced,” Yeddyurappa said.
As for the suburban local trains for Bangalore, the chief minister has not lost hopes. “I will take up the issue with Mamata. I will try my best to see that the assurance given by KH Muniyappa on local trains is accommodated as a supplementary proposal in the budget,” he said.
Muniyappa has succeeded in getting a Wheel and Axle Design Centre for Bangalore and Yeddyurappa made a special mention to convey his appreciation. It may be recalled that Muniyappa, participating in a function in Bangalore on January 3, had promised to introduce suburban trains in Bangalore by using the existing double-track infrastructure.
The proposal was to provide intra-city rail connectivity to Whitefield, KR Puram, Byappanahalli, Chennasandra, Malleswaram, Yeshwantpur, Kengeri and Yelahanka from Bangalore City railway station. Muniyappa had even stated that preliminary survey had already been conducted for implementing the proposal.
Yeddyurappa reiterated the state government’s commitment to bear 50% of the railway projects in the state to ensure their speedy completion of the projects. “We have drawn up Rs2,529 crore plan for the next five years for the development of railways in the state on a cost-sharing basis. Last year, we had spent Rs300 crore and this year it has been doubled to Rs600 crore. If all the projects announced in the budget are implemented in time, the railway connectivity in the state will see a huge improvement,” he said.
At present, Karnataka has a railway network of 16km per 1,000sq km of area, which is below national average. The new proposals would improve the connectivity, he said.
Yeddyurappa appreciated Mamata’s decision to conduct Railway Recruitment exams simultaneously in all places and in local languages. “It is a good decision with long-term vision of fulfilling the aspirations of unemployed youth of all states. The proposal to take electronic ticket booking facilities to remote rural areas and introducing separate trains for women should be appreciated,” he added. He urged Mamata to initiate the projects promised on a cost-sharing basis as the state government had provided funds for the purpose. Bringing Kodagu on the railway map is another special feature of the budget as it includes the much promised Madikeri-Chikmagalur line. Survey for the project will be taken up soon.
However, his party colleague, Ananth Kumar, had a different take. “Bangalore division continues to give the maximum growth in passenger and freight revenues but has always received the least attention. No mention has been made about the circular railway for Bangalore which is badly needed to ease the traffic congestion and provide all round development of the city,” he said.
