Bengaluru suburban rail: No funds in budget
Track doubling projects have received 20% lesser funds as compared to last year.
Bengaluru: In a shocker to Bengaluru, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has not allocated a single rupee for the suburban rail as promised earlier, reveals the 'pink book', which contains the detailed budget of the Indian Railways, that was released on Friday.
“The Centre had promised to take up the projects with the state government sharing 80 per cent of the cost. But the state had requested for a 50:50 formula. Suburban rail needs Rs 100 crore, but nothing has been allotted for it," said Mr Sanjeev V. Dyamannavar, an expert from Praaja RAAG.
Many others also felt disappointed by the Railway Budget. “The Byappanahall coaching terminal got only Rs 32 crore of the needed Rs 116 crore. DRM Sanjiv Agarwal said it will be completed by 2018, but how can that happen if they are not given sufficient funds," asked Mr T.P. Lokesh, a member of the Karnataka Railway Vedike. Karnataka has been ignored as compared to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, he pointed out.
“Only one Rail Under Bridge (RUB) has been sanctioned, while we need 50. Electrification of trunk routes, Bengaluru to Hosur and Yeshwanthpur to Tumakuru line, has been sanctioned without funds. They will have to completely rely on institutional funding, that is, loans from private groups," said Mr Dyamannavar, adding that a meagre Rs 40 crore has been allotted for passenger amenities for the entire state, while Tamil Nadu has got Rs 80 crore, and Andhra Pradesh Rs 100 crore.
The earlier plan was to decongest the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna station by acquiring 3 acres of land in Binny Mill. But no funds have been allocated, Mr Dyamannavar said.
While there are some positives with the Byyappanahalli terminal, MEMU shed and new lines getting sanctioned, the biggest blow is the complete neglect of suburban rail, he said.
Negatives
“For construction work in the Gulbarga Division, Rs 80 crore is needed, but only Rs 1 lakh has been sanctioned. How can they build anything with this amount," said Mr Lokesh, member, Karnataka Railway Vedike
“Track doubling projects have received 20% lesser funds as compared to last year. Only one out of the required 50 rail under bridges has been sanctioned," said Sanjeev, member, Praja RAAG.
Positives
MEMU shed gets Rs 2 crore.
Electrification of trunk routes Bengaluru-Hubli-Londa and Chikjaju-Bellary sanctioned.
Track Renewal has been allocated Rs 386 crore as against last years's Rs 121 crore.