Bengaluru, February 4: Of the total Rs 9200 Crores for South Western Railway (SWR), Karnataka state will get a lion’s share of Rs 7561 Crores.
This was disclosed by Ashwin Vaishnav, Minister of Railways while briefing the parliament on Friday.
“The average annual outlay of funds between 2009 and 2014 was Rs 835 crores. This year’s budget is a nine-time increase over that,” the Minister for Railways added.
Meanwhile, Sanjeev Kishore, General Manager, SWR, told reporters here in Bangalore that Rs 2423 will be earmarked for new lines, Rs 1529 crores for line doubling and Rs 242 crores for road safety works.
“The total Rs 9200 earmarked for the entire SWR includes Rs. 1350 for Suburban Railways which marks a 33.3 percent increase over the previous year’s allocation of Rs 6900 crores,” Kishore added.
Fifty One (51) stations in SWR has been taken up for Redevelopment under Amrit Bharat Scheme. “Out of 51 stations in SWR, 16 are in Bangalore Division,” Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Bangalore Division, Shyam Singh said.
He said, “The shifting of many trains to Sir M. Vishweshwaraiah Terminal has decongested KSR (Majestic) Railway Station considerably. The upcoming two island platforms at Bangalore Cantonment station will help reduce the congestion further. They will facilitate running of more suburban services from Cantonment.”
On the issue of the proposed Vande Bharat Express, the miniature version of the bigger one, Sanjeev Kishore said these trains are meant to connect towns and cities within a distance of 250 to 350 Kms. “Of course, Bangalore will very much be part of Vande Bharat Express,” he added.
