Passengers, economy to benefit from Karnataka's new railway projects

BENGALURU: Karnataka's economy and the citizen who commute daily across the state will be greatly benefitted from many of the railway projects dedicated to the nation or laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

The launch of the Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru is one such project which will have a huge impact on Bengaluru. The launching of this project has been anticipated for more than a year.

South Western Railway, Chief PRO Aneesh Hegde said, "The highly-saturated terminals of KSR Bengaluru and Yesvantpur did not permit the launch of new trains from the city. The origin of many trains can now be shifted to the new terminal. Three pairs have already started and many more are being planned". The Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, which is expected to have a major impact soon, will be ready in 40 months from now, benefiting over 10 lakh passengers per day, the NIE reported.

Rahul Agarwal the Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru Division said, "There was an enormous demand to run more trains from Mysuru to different parts of Karnataka and the country but we could not do so. Both the Naganahalli terminal and Mysuru New Coaching Terminal will give us additional platforms, pitlines and facilitate starting of new trains."

When the Konkan Railway project is electrified, it will ensure the reduction of diesel pollution in the Western Ghats and enable smoke-free and noise-free train services. The doubling of the Arsikere-Tumakuru and Yelahanka-Penukonda will increase the number of trains and benefit students, devotees and farmers. MEMU trains will benefit thousands of passengers between Bengaluru and Hindupur. "The doubling will help in improving connectivity and mobility of Bengaluru towards the Hubballi-Mumbai route and the Secunderabad route", Hegde said.