BENGALURU: Former Railway Minister and Minister for Programme Implementation and Statistics D V Sadananda Gowda said that four Multiple Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains that will run on the suburban network will roll out by end of December.
Briefing media after a high-level meet with stakeholders to discuss the implementation of suburban rail system in the city, he said, “Suburban rail should be on the ground by December. Initiation of four MEMU trains will be on track.”
Phase 1 of Metro has brought some relief for the city’s traffic problem. “Suburban railway will reduce traffic by 30% to 40%,” he added.
Speaking about the differences related to funding between the Centre and the state, he said for the special purpose vehicle, the cost sharing suggested was 20% by state and 20% by Centre with 60% borrowed. “The issue is who will repay the borrowed money.”
A final decision would be taken by the end of this month and would be discussed with Railway Minister in New Delhi after that, he said.
Bengaluru Development Minister K J George also spoke about funding being a bone of contention between the state and the Centre. “They (Railways) are saying there is a national policy on funding now.” The reference is to the recently-released suburban rail policy which fixed Railways’ share of the project cost at just 20 percent of the overall cost. Fare fixing is another problem. “If it (Railways) fixes fares, we will face a loss. We want to discuss this in Delhi,” said George.
There is an allocation of `327 crore from the state to replace conventional trains with 15 pairs of MEMU trains in the budget, George said.To expedite the setting up of a coaching terminal at Baiyappanahalli where the MEMU rakes will be maintained, Railways has requested the state for three parcels of land.