Railways Board approves Rs 159 billion Suburban Rail project in Bengaluru

New Delhi (Urban Transport News): The extended Railway Board of Ministry of Railway has given its approval to Rs 15,990 crores Suburban Rail project in Bengaluru. The information shared by Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi on Monday. “In order to fast track the Bengaluru Suburban Rail, the Extended Railway Board met today and has given its clearance", tweeted Suresh Angadi, MoS for Railways.

“With the approval of the Extended Railway Board, the project has received 90% of the clearance required. Shortly, it will go before the cabinet for final approval. It is a 50:50 project by the central and state governments. Measures will be taken to form a special purpose vehicle for the implementation of the project", he added. Now the project file will move to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for their approval. "Along with my team headed by Chairman Railway Board Shri Vinod Kumar Yadav, had a fruitful meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Shri BS Yeddyurappa and Members of Parliament from Karnataka regarding Bengaluru Suburban Rail.

The CM assured full co-operation towards speedy execution of the project, which has been the dream of Bengalureans", Angadi twitted. "Great news for Bengaluru: The Extended Railway Board met today & has given clearance Bengaluru #Suburban Rail project. I’m extremely grateful to Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and Suresh Angadi for making Bengaluru’s dream a reality!", twitted PC Mohan, Member of Parliament representing Bengaluru Central.

The proposed Bengaluru Suburban Rail will span with a 148.17 km network and will have 57 stations. The suburban rail line will consist of four lines viz. Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna/Bengaluru City-Kempe Gowda International Airport, Baiyappanahalli-Yesvantpur, Kengeri-Whitefield, and Hellalige-Rajanakunte. According to the detailed project report (DPR) prepared by RITES, the suburban rail network will be linked to around 10 metro stations of the Bangalore Metro Rail project in the city. The Bengaluru Suburban Rail project is expected to complete by 2025.