Karnataka plans SPV for suburban rail system

The state govt has done feasibility study for the project

Chief minister Siddaramaiah today announced the setting up of a special purpose vehicle for implementing the Rs 8,759 crore suburban rail system connecting Bangalore to Tumkur, Ramanagaram among others. The SPV, Bangalore Sub-Urban Rail Corporation, will implement this project which will go a long way in decongesting the city.

Presenting his maiden budget after taking over as chief minister on May 13, he said, the government had done a feasibility study for a suburban rail system. “A detailed project report for Phase-I will be prepared,” he said.

Announcing many other projects for Bangalore, he said clearance from government of India for the second phase of Namma Metro covering 72 kms at a cost of Rs 26,405 crore is expected shortly. Metro line from Sampige Road to Peenya, covering 10.5 km would be made operational by October.

Construction of pedestrian sky-walks for the safety of pedestrians crossing the road would be taken up at a cost of Rs 100 crore. A project to remodel and develop four major storm water valleys — Challaghatta, Hebbala, Koramangala and Vrushabhavathi — covering 857 km within the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) area would be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore. At present, 14 sewage treatment plants are functioning to treat the waste water generated in the city. Ten more treatment plants of latest technology would be established in another three years which would help treat additional 336 million litres a day of waste water. Development of a peripheral ring road in the city would be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 2,250 crore with Japan International Cooperation Agency loan assistance, he said.

The government would launch a pilot scheme on M G Road and Brigade Road here for providing Wi-Fi services to the public. Similar pilot schemes are proposed to be launched also in Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore and Mysore, he said.

During 2013-14, the government would provide Rs 320 crore for projects taken up under JnNURM grants. “Our government will introduce a new parking policy in all the city corporations,” he said.