Bangalore-Mysore hi-speed rail link tops city’s wishlist to Gowda

BANGALORE: A high-speed train service between Bangalore and Mysore that can cover the 140 km distance between the two cities in 30-35 minutes was one of the important suggestions new Railway Minister DV Sadananda Gowda received from MLAs and MPs of Bangalore City on Sunday.

Karnataka Infrastructure Minister R Roshan Baig made the suggestion, and urged the new Railway Minister to set the idea into motion. “I have been chasing this proposal with the High Speed Rail Corporation in the Ministry of Railways for some time now, and have offered all help from the state government ,” Baig told ET. “Even with a 5-minute stop at Mandya , the high-speed train can cover the distance in 35 minutes ,” he added.

The Infrastructure Minster said such a train service would ease the pressure on Bangalore . If such a service were to be available, many people would love to live in Mandya or Mysore and commute to Bangalore for work. Asked if the State would be chipping in any funds, Baid said the idea has not reached that stage, but the best course of action was to hand over the project to the private sector.

“I am sure there are private players ready to implement this project. What London-Paris built 35 years ago, we have not been able to do even now. It is time we make use of the best technology available globally, and address these needs,” Baig said.

He also added that the Bangalore-Mysore doubling work has become a joke. Gowda met 15 MLAs and three MPs, and senior officials of the South-Western Railway zone to both familiarise himself with the functioning of the department , and to understand the short-term and long-term needs of the City, of which he is also an MP.

Baig also told the Railway Minister to introduce eco-friendly toilets in coaches, like in aircraft, so that railways stations will be clean, and hygienic . Bangalore South MP and Union Chemicals and Fertilsier Minister Ananthkumar informed Gowda that the Bangalore circular train project has been pending before the Centre for a long time.

The government could make use of the existing infrastructure and introduce sub-urban train services , he said. Another interesting suggestion that came up pertains to Bangalore City Railway station which is porous, with several entry points, posing a grave security threat. After the terrorist attack in Mumbai, Bangalore too should learn lessons and, reduce the number of entry points.