Listing out the new trains introduced and projects announced over the past nine months, Railway Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge has claimed that Karnataka never had so many new services.
He was speaking after flagging off Yeshwantpur–Jabalpur–Yeshwantpur Weekly Express; Yeshwantpur–Kacheguda–Yeshwantpur Tri-weekly Express; and Yeshwantpur– Lucknow–Yeshwantpur Weekly Express here on Saturday.
Bangalore City–Tumkur–Bangalore City train would now run daily instead of six days a week. The foundation stone for extension of shunting neck at the Binny Mill area was laid.
Mr. Kharge said once the shunting neck and sheds come up in the Binny Mill area adjacent to City Railway Station, platforms at the station would be freed and more train services could be started from there. The land was acquired by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and offered to the Railways in exchange for land required for the eight-lane Okalipuram Corridor.
The track-doubling work between Mysore and Bangalore was stuck due to some issues near Srirangapatna. “I met the local leaders there and I am hopeful that the issues will be sorted out soon. Once completed, many train services could be extended to Mysore. This will also help reduce congestion at the City station,” he said.
Mr. Kharge said a new train service would be started between Harihar and Kottur on Monday. He lauded the State government’s support to railway projects in Karnataka. “The State government has agreed to provide free land, water and electricity to the new coach factory that will come up in Kolar at Rs. 1,460 crore. The proposal, pending for over three years, was approved by the Union Cabinet recently.”
M. Krishnappa, Vijayanagar MLA, said that the Vijayanagar Railway Station (RPC Layout) had been renamed Vijayanagar Krishnadeveraya Station. Mr. Kharge said the station was being developed at a cost of Rs. 1 crore, and the local MLA had contributed Rs. 30 lakh. Railway ticketing services would start at the station in 15 days, he added.
