Centre clears ₹12,396-cr ring rail network in Bangalore

The Union government has cleared the much delayed 148-km long suburban rail project for Bengaluru, connecting towns across seven directions around the city. The towns include Mysore, Mandya, Tumkur, Hosur, Bangarapet, Kolar, Doddaballapur and Chikkaballapur and the ones that fall between these townships and Bangalore city. With the state headquarters emerging as the hub of IT, BT and NT industries, besides other manufacturing units, a large number of workers commute daily between Bengaluru and these towns on the periphery. The Suburban Rail project is a joint venture between the Centre and State Government with each contributing ₹2,479 crore and the State borrowing another ₹7438 crore from other sources. The state cabinet has already given administrative approval to borrow the amount from financial institutions. On completion, it would take away 40% of the public transport trips on the city's congested streets and thoroughfares. It is estimated that it will cater to 25 lakh commuters a day who will spend just one-third of what they pay for road transport for their daily commute. Not just this, the commuters will also be able to commute 70 to 100 kms in just 70 to 90 minutes. The suburban system will become fully operational by 2026. Ten metro stations in the city including Yelahanka, Kengeri, Yeshawanthapur, Cantonment, Whitefield, K R. Puram, Baiyappanahalli, Jnanabharthi and Nayandahalli) will serve as feeders for the system, said an official spokesperson.