Bengaluru: Hunger strike for suburban rail today

Bengaluru: It has been over 10 years since citizens of Bengaluru have been demanding a suburban rail network, but there has been just talk but no specific development from the railway department.

The recent statement by Railway Minister Suresh Kumar too has not instilled any confidence in the people. Frustrated, they have planned a hunger strike near the Whitefield Railway Station from 9 am till 5 pm on Sunday. More than 200 people are expected to participate.

Mr Mahesh Mahadevaiah, a member of the Suburban Rail Passengers Association, said, “We have heard such promises from ministers for a long time. We have given three representations to the present minister and we have personally gone and met him to present one of the representations. We know the issues we are facing every day while commuting. The city is struggling to deal with its traffic mess, which is worsening every day. The project should be implemented immediately.”

Mr Ravi Kumar, a commuter, said, “We can at least use the existing network. This is a project that can be easily implemented. We why there has been no decision from the authorities.”

With Metro till some years away from completion, the commuter rail can take the pressure off the roads and allow Bengalureans to commute at ease from the city to not too distant destinations like Whitefield, Tumakuru and Ramanagara, with stopovers at suburbs like Yelahanka and Kengeri.

While the existing tracks can be used for the project, its supporters say 58% of the total investment of Rs 9,000 crore will go towards upgrading railway infrastructure and for doubling the tracks, which in turn will help the Indian Railways run more intercity and goods trains.