Sub-urban trains to be reality soon. State to purchase 15 trains

Railways give green signal to State for sub-urban trains Sub-urban railways to get 20 per cent from Centre and 80 per cent from State Permission granted for purchase of 2 rakes this year and 7 more next year Permission pending for formation of Special Purpose Vehicle Banasawadi Railway workshop will be utilised

The days of Bengaluru getting its sub-urban trains are fast approaching. The Railway Department has given the green signal for the purchase of 9 rakes for 15 sub-urban trains with State and Central governments collaboration, reports Kannada Prabha.

The State government will be providing 80 per cent grants and Centre 20 per cent for installing the power operated Main Line Electric Multiple Unit. The Central government has given its consent for the project on Thursday, Urban Development Department Chief Secretary Mahendra Jail informed Kannada Prabha.

The State government has already signed an MoU with the Railway Department in this regard. The State government had submitted two major proposals to the Central government. Purchase of rakes for sub-urban trains and permission to utilise the Banaswadi workshop for their management and also permission to form a Special Purpose Vehicle for the implementation of the sub-urban trains. Of this the first proposal was approved on Thursday.

The Central government has sanctioned permission to purchase two rakes in the current year and seven rakes next year. The State will immediately commence the rake production at the Central government workshop. Railways Board has also approved the use of Banasawadi workshop for the management of rakes. The draft Special Purpose Vehicle has been sent to Railway Department for approval and is waiting for Centre’s approval. Immediately upon receiving the approval SPV will be formed,reports Kannada Prabha.