Bangalore: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Union Railways, was seen at the Bengaluru Cantonment railway station, located in Karnataka. Currently, the cantonment railway station is in the midst of renovation.
On Saturday, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Railway Minister, announced that the track between the Bangalore Airport and Yelahanka will be expanded to double its size to handle more traffic. He further mentioned his plans to collaborate with the Bangalore Airport officials to relocate the railway station nearer to the entrances and exits.
The Secretary, present to assess the development of reconstruction efforts at the Bengaluru Cantonment railway station, mentioned that the railways are set to launch extensive manufacturing of the Amrit Bharat trains version 2.0, featuring enhancements.
“We’ve made the choice to collaborate with the Bengaluru Airport Authority with the aim of positioning the station as near as possible to both the departure and arrival points of the airport. The conversation will commence,” said Vaishnaw, who carried out a preliminary examination of the area during a window trailing visit from Kempegowda International Airport Railway Station (halt) – Bengaluru Cantonment, addressing reporters following the session with the railway personnel.
“We plan to expand the railway track from the airport to Yelahanka, increasing its capacity significantly. At the same time, the metro system will be rolling out rapidly,” he mentioned.
Speaking about the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP), Vaishnaw mentioned that the development of both corridors is progressing rapidly. He explained that the BSRP, in conjunction with the Metro Rail, will provide commuters with various choices, thereby greatly enhancing the traffic capacity in Bangalore, he added.
In connection with the newly unveiled NaMo Bharat Rapid Rail project, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vaishnaw mentioned that the railways are considering the introduction of these trains for short-haul routes, like Bangalore to Mysuru and Bangalore to Tumakuru.
The Maharashtra Tourism Department launches an electric bus service for tourists coming to see the Ajanta Caves. This new electric bus service is designed for travelers from both India and abroad. Tourists will be driven from the designated parking area to the entrance of the caves. Previously, diesel buses were used, leading to frequent delays due to the long time it took for the buses to circulate. However, with the addition of these new electric buses, travel times will be shortened, and the service will also contribute to reducing environmental pollution.
“These trains are designated for cities situated near one another, such as Bengaluru and Mysuru. The stretch between Bengaluru and Mysuru measures 135 km — a perfect length for swift rail service, allowing us to operate at a high frequency. Cities such as Bengaluru and Mysuru, and Bengaluru and Tumakuru, are perfect candidates for a Namo Bharat Rapid rail.”
On the advancement of the renovation project at Cantonment Railway Station, Vaishnaw mentioned that it is progressing smoothly, with nearly 18,000 square meters being transformed. He mentioned that parking facilities will be located underground, providing space for 250 vehicles and an equal number of motorcycles.
The minister also went over how Circular Rail is developing, confident that it will transform the entire transport infrastructure of the city. The DPR (Detailed Project Report) is moving forward smoothly and is expected to be finished by December’s end. Following that, the next phase will be initiated, he mentioned.