Kanakapura-Malavalli-Kollegal-Chamarajanagar & Kotur-Harihar Rly line works to start soon

Mysore (MYS):  South Western Railways (SWR) will operate a new Chamarajanagar-Bangalore fast passenger train.

Divisional Railway Manager Raj Kumar Lal said the train will start at 7.15 am from Chamarajanagar and reach Bangalore at 12.30 pm, in the return direction, it will start from Bangalore at 1.30 pm. The train will run four days a week, he said.

He said the work on Kanakapura-Malavalli-Kollegal-Chamarajanagar railway line and Kotur-Harihar railway line will start soon as the authorities have approved it. The work on Kadur-Chikmagalur-Sakleshpur will be completed soon as the survey and land acquisition have been completed.

Referring to the railway budget that has given 13 new trains to the state, he said they have written to the railway ministry to extend a few long-distance trains between Bangalore and Mumbai. He said passenger facilities are their top priority.  “We have plans to set up 11 more electronic vending machines across the division and will set up on-board infotainment systems in some  trains,” he said.

He said they will act against the unruly behavior of those who are working at parking bays and act against those who are collecting  exorbitant charges from people.

Passenger Revenue Up

Raj Kumar Lal said the division has recorded 29 per cent growth in the passenger revenue and earned a revenue of Rs 163 crore against last year’s `129 crore. He said they have collected `3.4 crore as penatly from ticketless travellers.

However, there is a decline in revenue from freight traffic due to  slump in the export of iron ore and maize. “We hope we will do better next fiscal,” he added.

Kharge lays foundation for Chikkamagalur-Sakleshpura Railway line

Chikkamagalur:  Union Minister for Railways Mallikarjuna Kharge has said that the work on 47 km-long Chikkamagalur – Sakleshpura broad gauge railway line will be taken up in cost sharing basis with State governments and Union government each sharing 50 per cent of the cost of the project. The project will be completed in three years.

Speaking to mediapersons after laying foundation for the Chikkamagalur – Sakleshpura broad gauge railway line here on Sunday, he said that the state government will give free land and Rs 352 crore required for the project. The Railways will bear Rs 292 crore. The total cost of the project is Rs 644 crore.
“As the State government had shown keen interest in taking up the project in cost sharing basis, the Railways could take up lot of works. Similarly, governments in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthana have agreed for taking up project in cost sharing basis. To reduce level crossing, the railways have taken up ROBs and RUBs across the country on priority basis.

“Before I took charge as the Minister, the State was getting only Rs 700 crore. Now, it has been doubled. Modernisation of railway lines, railway station and upgradation of platforms have been taken up at a cost of Rs 1,300 crore. Along with announcing new trains to Karnataka, additional Rs 120 crore has been earmarked. A few railway line works could not be initiated owing to technical glitches in the country.”

Kharge said that highest trains have been announced to the State in the interim budget. Karnataka will get 17 Jai Hind Expresses. Chikmagalur-Kadur-Bangalore Express service has been included in the budget. The train will be started during 2014-15.”

The railways security deposit was zero in 2010-11, 2011-12. Now, the profit has been increased from Rs 7,000 crore to Rs 8,000 crore. The security deposit is likely to be increased to Rs 13,000 crore in the next budget.

High speed train
The railways have proposed to start a high speed train in India. “The railways have already entered into a talk with Japan Internal Cooperation Agency (JICA). It is planning to start high speed train services between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The Maharashtra government has given its nod for the proposal. A joint survey is in progress. If it is viable, then we are planning to extend it till New Delhi. A sum of Rs 67,000 crore would be required to implement the project. The final decision will be taken after the joint survey is complete.”
Kharge said that work on constructing maintenance facilities at the Binny Mill land adjacent to the Bangalore City railway station would commence within a few. The railways have purchased the land at Rs 80 crore.
There are demands for introducing new trains from Bangalore to connect to other parts of the country. “There is lack of space in the railways station. Hence, the maintenance facilities will be shifted, to increase the platforms.”

MP Jayaprakash Hegde, Council Chairperson D H Shankaramurthy, MLA C T Ravi , District-in-Charge Minister Abhayachandra Jain among others were present at the occasion. Kharge handed over keys of tourist taxis to beneficiaries under SEP and TSP project. Jain laid foundation for Pradhanmanthri Gram Sadak Yojane on the occasion.