Quadruple rail lines likely to cities within 100-km radius of Bengaluru | Vande Bharat service to Vijayapura a possibility

Bengaluru: Union Minister of State for Railways, V. Somanna, has said that quadruple railway lines will be developed to cities located within a 100-km radius of Bengaluru.

He added that a similar four-track railway corridor between the State capital and the coastal city of Mangaluru will also be considered.

Somanna was speaking after inaugurating a newly constructed road overbridge near Elekeri in Channapattana taluk.

Earlier, Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil had placed several railway-related demands concerning the State and sought the Union Government to develop quadruple railway lines from Bengaluru to Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hindupura via Gauribidanuru and Kolara.

Responding positively to these demands, Somanna said the survey for the Bengaluru-Tumakuru quadruple railway line has been completed and the tendering process will begin shortly.

The project is expected to be completed within the next two years. He added that it has also been decided to undertake a survey for the proposed Bengaluru-Mysuru quadruple railway line.

Describing M.B. Patil’s demands as well-founded, Somanna said a direct rail link between Bengaluru and Kolara would be provided by extending the existing four-track railway line beyond Whitefield.

“The Union Government itself will undertake the required land acquisition for the project,” he assured.

Bengaluru-Mangaluru Quadruple Railway Line

Speaking at the function, M.B. Patil said there was a need for faster rail connectivity between Bengaluru and the coastal city of Mangaluru. He proposed the development of a parallel road and railway corridor between Sakleshapura and Gundya to improve connectivity.

Responding to the suggestion, Somanna said it was a constructive proposal and that a quadruple railway line between Bengaluru and Mangaluru was necessary.

“Improved rail connectivity to the port city of Mangaluru will offer multiple economic and logistical benefits, and the project will be accorded priority,” he explained.

Somanna further said that work on the Tumakuru-Chitradurga-Davanagere railway line was progressing at a brisk pace and that “Patil had also sought doubling of the track on this route, which would be considered.”

Ministers Travel by Special Railway Inspection Vehicle

Somanna and M.B. Patil travelled from Bengaluru Railway Station to Channapatna in the SPIC (Self-Propelled Inspection Car), a specialised railway inspection vehicle used to assess the quality, safety and progress of railway infrastructure projects.

They later returned to Bengaluru in the same inspection vehicle.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train for Vijayapura

Responding to a request to introduce a Vande Bharat Sleeper service to Vijayapura in the Kittur Karnataka region, Somanna announced that the service was expected to commence within the next three to four months.

He said a Vande Bharat Sleeper train, instead of the regular Vande Bharat service, would be introduced and that a formal decision in this regard would be taken shortly.

He further announced that the special train currently operating twice a week between Bengaluru and Vijayapura would be made a permanent service and minor issues on the route would also be addressed.

Referring to the proposal for a high-speed rail link between Bengaluru and Pune, Somanna said the demand was well justified and efforts would be made to take the project forward, as it would connect the country’s IT capital with its financial capital.

Inspection of Ramohalli RUB Work

On their way to Channapatna, Somanna and Patil inspected the ongoing works of the railway under-bridge (RUB) at Ramohalli near Kumbalagodu on the outskirts of Bengaluru and issued necessary directions to the officials.

The two advised officials to ensure proper arrangements to prevent rainwater from accumulating and to complete the project at the earliest.