Union Railway Minister reviews the progress of Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project

Bengaluru, India (Urban Transport News): Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on 11th January 2021 reviewed the progress of the Rs 15,767 crore Bangalore Suburban Railway Project.

He said that the project should be planned in a futuristic manner to incorporate the growing needs of the city like Bengaluru. "Suburban Project should be based on Make In India policy and boost Atma Nirbhar Bharat mission," he added.

The meeting attended by senior officials of the Railway Board and the Government of Karnataka.

It may be noted that the Government of India had approved the Ministry of Railways’ proposal for construction of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project Project (BSRP) in Bangalore City in the month of October 2020.

The project envisages the construction of 4 Suburban Rail Corridors with a total route length of 148.17 km. The project will be implemented by Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (KRIDE), a Joint Venture company set up by the Ministry of Railways with the Government of Karnataka as a special purpose vehicle. The project is proposed to be completed in 6 years at an estimated cost of Rs 15,767 crores.

The project envisions the creation of a dedicated Suburban Railway system in Bengaluru city to provide a safe, accessible and comfortable mode of public transport. The project will ease traffic congestion, enhance rural-urban connectivity and provide a cleaner mobility solution to lakhs of daily commuters. It will provide an economic, efficient and eco-friendly transit alternative to the Garden City of Bengaluru.

It will alleviate the massive transport problem of Bengaluru and link all parts of the city in a seamless fashion. By providing rapid connectivity to Bangalore International Airport, IT Hubs and the Commercial centres, the rail-based network will boost productivity and growth by reducing commuting time.

It will integrate multiple modes of transport like the Metro, Railways and bus transport by constructing interchange hubs. This will ensure a smooth and seamless mode of transport to lakhs of daily commuters.

The project is expected to benefit the people by providing a safe, efficient and environment-friendly transport system, Reduction in commuting time, Reduced fuel consumption, Reduction in capex on road infrastructure, Reduction in pollution and accident, Enhanced Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) , Increase in value of land bank in the corridor and generate additional revenue and Creation of jobs etc.

The Bengaluru Suburban Rail project is expected to be completed by 2026.