Karnataka seeks to expand railway network

V Madhu, principal secretary, infrastructure development department, government of Karnataka said that the government was keen to partner with the railway ministry to expand the network in the state. Incidentally, the rail coverage in Karnataka lags neighbouring Tamil Nadu by a factor of two with the former having only 16 kms of railway lines per 1000 square kilometres compared to Tamil Nadu’s 30 kms.

Madhu said the government has prepared short term, medium and long term action plan to take up various infrastructure development projects. Some of the major projects include development of 12 air strips, high-speed rail link between Bangalore international airport and the city centre, 10,000 kms of road network through Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), Devanahalli Business Park at an area spread over 300 acres, 46-kms of mono rail network in two phases, international convention centre at Devanahalli near BIA among others.

Out of the 692.5 kms of mass rapid transport system proposed in the state, he said 137 kms of metro rail, 52 kms of mono rail and 33 kms of high-speed rail network, bus rapid transport system for 291 kms and commuter rail systems for 65 kms are included.

Bangalore Development Authority has prepared the action plan for development of a 60-km outer peripheral ring road around the Bangalore city; he said adding that tenders will be floated shortly.