New Delhi, May 17: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Sunday that the much-anticipated Vande Bharat Sleeper train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is expected to commence soon.
The minister made this announcement while virtually flagging off a new express train service between the two cities. He highlighted that several pending railway demands in South and North Karnataka are being addressed through accelerated infrastructure development and improved financial support.
Vaishnaw stated, “Pending demands in South and North Karnataka are being fulfilled. The Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Bengaluru and Mumbai is likely to start in the near future.”
He noted that there has been a significant increase in railway funding for Karnataka in recent years, which has expedited the implementation of crucial rail projects across the state.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 61 railway stations in Karnataka are being redeveloped at a cost of ₹2,160 crores, with nine stations already completed.
Key projects include the redevelopment of the Bengaluru Cantonment railway station, estimated to cost ₹485 crores, and ongoing redevelopment work at Yeshvantpur station, which is projected to cost ₹367 crores.
Additionally, the minister mentioned that approximately 1,750 kilometers of new railway lines have been constructed in Karnataka since 2014. Electrification of the challenging Hassan-Mangaluru railway section has been completed, and testing is currently underway.
Regarding the Bengaluru suburban railway project, Vaishnaw stated that work is progressing on all four corridors. Land acquisition for the Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara and Heelalige-Rajanukunte corridors has been completed, with station construction currently in progress.
He further added that the alignment for the KSR Bengaluru-Devanahalli corridor has received joint approval from the Karnataka government and the railways, and geotechnical surveys have also been completed. The Kengeri-Whitefield corridor has recently been approved, with survey work expected to commence shortly.
According to the minister, the suburban rail network will connect major hubs in Bengaluru, including Kempegowda International Airport, Electronic City, Marathahalli, and Hebbal, thereby improving urban mobility.
Vaishnaw also mentioned that there are currently 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains operating in Karnataka. Testing is underway on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route, which is expected to enhance rail connectivity to the coastal region up to Madgaon.
–
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment