Cabinet clears ₹20,000-cr Bengaluru suburban rail network

The Union Cabinet has cleared the Bengaluru suburban rail project involving an investment of ₹20,000 crore. This move will help the Bengaluru rail network to cater to the rising demand of local rail users. The Bengaluru suburban rail project will comprise four corridors — KSR Bengaluru City-Devanahalli, Byappanahall-Chikkabanavara, Kengeri-Cantonment-Whitefield and Heelalige-Rajanukunte. Bengaluru is one of the most congested cities in India and this suburban rail project will enable the local transport system to bring daily commuters from road transport to a mass transit system. The Railway Board has cleared the project but the proposal was awaiting a nod from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. The 148-km long Bengaluru suburban rail project was announced by the Union Finance Minister in the budget 2020-21 when she also reiterated that the fare of the upcoming transport system would be in sync with the metro rail fare. She had also announced that the center would provide 20% equity in the project and will facilitate 60% external financial assistance to the project.