Bengaluru: Last year, when Mr. Sadananda Gowda, then railway minister and MP from Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency, was preparing his maiden railway budget, expectations were sky-high in the state. Reason: It was the first budget of the new NDA government and many projects were expected for the state since Mr. Gowda was well aware of the needs and popular sentiment in the state. Also, successive union railway ministers had ignored the demands of Karnataka.
But this time around, expectations are lower. There are signs that the focus will be on streamlining the system and improving overall efficiency rather than announcement of new projects to win over the voters.
Railway officials agree that the railways are facing a financial crunch. The need of the hour, it is felt, is a realistic railway budget. “Every year, the railway budget is used as a populist ploy to win over voters by announcing a slew of new trains and projects. But most of them have made the railways a white elephant. Adding more projects without any rationale has led to disaster. This time we are expecting very few new projects based on passenger trains. Instead the railway minister is expected to give a major push through reforms in the railway sector,” informed an officer.
“Most of the passenger trains are running at a loss. Unless and until we improve the freight services it is impossible to bring the railways back on track and make them financially viable. The same logic is applicable to Karnataka. There are demands for several new railway lines, most of which are not feasible. Improving the railway stations, catering, reservation system and so on are the major challenges,” he said.
Major demands of the state
- Railways must contribute 50% for the implementation of the commuter rail project in Bengaluru. Estimated cost of the project is Rs 8759 crores.
- Special railway zone to Mangaluru and Kalaburagi
- Early completion of Bengaluru-Hassan direct train track
- Doubling the railway line between Bengaluru and Hubballi
- Bengaluru-Mumbai super fast train
Commuter rail for Bengaluru
A major demand of Bengalureans is commuter rail. They are convinced this will decongest a city beginning to burst at the seams. “Chief Minister Mr. S Siddaramaiah, MP Mr. Rajeev Chandrashekhar and others have already spoken to Mr. Prabhu over their support for the project. Karnataka expects the railways to bear half of the project cost, around Rs 90,000 crores. A few activists are demanding regular local train service between Bengaluru and nearby towns like Mandya, Ramanagar, Hassan etc. In his last budget, Mr. DV Sadanada Gowda had announced a few such services. But everyone is waiting for a big announcement on commuter rail,” informed another officer from South Western railways.
Resource mobilisation
Sources say Mr. Prabhu is expected to announce several Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for the implementation of various long-pending projects, which will benefit Karnataka. “Resource mobilization for any new project is a herculean task. The railways are expecting a major financial crisis once the 7th pay commission report is submitted. So SPVs are expected to help the railways to lure private investors,” he concluded.
