BENGALURU: (May 17)-
Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw Flagged off train between Bengaluru and Mumbai
““Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off Train between Bengaluru – Mumbai today, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra.““He stated that long-pending demands of South & North Karnataka are now being fulfilled.““He announced that the Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is expected to be start soon.““Highlighting infrastructure growth, he noted a significant increase in railway funding in recent years, accelerating project execution across Karnataka.““Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 61 stations are being redeveloped at a cost of ?2,160 crore, with 9 already completed. Bengaluru Cantonment station is being redeveloped at ?485 crore and Yeshwantpur at ?367 crore.““Since 2014, about 1,750 km of new railway lines have been constructed in Karnataka, and complex electrification works which is Hassan–Mangaluru section have been completed and testing is going on.““On the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, he stated that work is progressing across all four corridors. For the Baiyappanahalli–Chikkabanavara and Heelalige–Rajanukunte corridors, land acquisition has been completed and station works are currently under progress. The KSR Bengaluru–Devanahalli alignment has been jointly approved by the State Government and the Railways, and the geotechnical survey has been completed. The Kengeri–Whitefield alignment was recently approved, and survey work will commence shortly. And he said that the suburban rail network will integrate key hubs, including the airport, Electronic City, Marathahalli, and Hebbal.““He further stated that Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains. Testing on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru route is underway and will soon improve coastal connectivity up to Madgaon.““Shri Vaishnaw also highlighted that bullet train corridors connecting Bengaluru with Hyderabad and Chennai have been approved.““He further noted that, with a long-term vision to connect Mumbai, Bengaluru, and other major cities, the network is expected to expand to 7,000 km.““Union Minister Shri V. Somanna, while addressing the gathering during the flagging off of Train No. 16553/54 SMVT Bengaluru – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express, expressed his gratitude to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for sanctioning the new Bengaluru–Mumbai train, stating that it will greatly benefit passengers on one of the busiest routes and further boost Karnataka’s development.““He highlighted that Karnataka currently operates 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains covering 14 districts. He noted that a Vande Bharat Sleeper maintenance depot will be established at Thanisandra at a cost of ?270 crore, along with a chair car maintenance facility at SMVT Bengaluru costing ?52.73 crore. Doubling of Baiyappanahalli–Hosur (?1,116 crore), Bettahalasuru–Rajanukunte (?248 crore), and quadrupling works around Bengaluru (?1,347 crore) are being undertaken to enhance capacity.““
Somanna informed that automatic signalling works are being implemented across key sections, including Yesvantpur, KSR Bengaluru, Lottegollahalli, Baiyappanahalli, Penukonda, Mysuru, and Jolarpettai, at a total cost of Rs.6,396 crore. Highlighting overall growth, he stated that Karnataka has received a record railway budget allocation of ?7748 crore. Since 2014, about 3,840 km of railway lines have been developed and 3,742 km electrified, taking the state close to 100% electrification. He added that the number of ROBs/RUBs has increased from about 150 before 2014 to 707 now, with 146 more to be completed within the next one year, and all level crossings targeted for elimination in the next three years.““
Dignitaries present on the occasion included P. C. Mohan, Member of Parliament, Bengaluru Central; Lehar Singh Siroya, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; and Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament, Bengaluru South, who joined the event via video conference. Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru Division, and senior officers from South Western Railway were also present on the occasion.
Prahlad Joshi Flags Off SMVT Bengaluru–LTT Mumbai Express at Hubballi-
Union Minister Prahlad Joshi today flagged off Train No. 16553/16554 SMVT Bengaluru – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Mumbai Express at SSS Hubballi Railway Station.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Prahlad Joshi said the newly introduced train service would enhance connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra and provide greater convenience to passengers.
He stated that the proposed Dharwad–Belagavi direct railway line project has already received financial sanction from Central Government and that railway connectivity would be taken up in the next phase after completion of the land acquisition process by the State Government. He added that the direct rail line would help reduce travel time between Dharwad and Belagavi.
Highlighting the progress of Indian Railways, Shri Joshi said Railways has achieved complete electrification during last twelve years, thereby reducing dependence on diesel. He also informed that modern sleeper Vande Bharat coaches are being manufactured in the country and that nearly 164 Vande Bharat trains are currently operating successfully across India.
He further stated that priority is being accorded to the development of railway stations under Amrit Bharat Scheme and expressed confidence that Alnavar Railway Station would soon be inaugurated.
MLAs Shri Arvind Bellad and Shri Mahesh Tenginkai, MLC Shri F.H. Jakkappanavar, former Mayor Shri Ramanna Badiger, ZRUCC Member Shri Mahendra Singhi, Additional Divisional Railway Manager Shri T.V. Bhushan and several senior railway officials were present on the occasion.
Earlier, Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the train service through video conferencing, further strengthening rail connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra.
