Union Budget slashes Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project allocation by ₹100 crore
The Hindu
Union Budget reduces Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project allocation by ₹100 crore, sparking mixed reactions from stakeholders.
The Union Budget has reduced the allocation for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP) by ₹100 crore compared to the previous year.
The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23 for the fiscal year 2024-25 allocated ₹350 crore for the BSRP, down from last year’s allocation of ₹450 crore.
The suburban rail project, which includes constructing a 148 km network across four corridors in the city, is projected to cost ₹15,767 crore. Both State and Central governments will contribute 40% of the funding, with the remainder to be secured through external borrowing. After overcoming numerous obstacles, Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (KRIDE) has begun work on the Baiyappanahalli to Chikkabanavara corridor, which spans 25 km and will feature 14 proposed stations.
Rail activists say the project that saw an inordinate delay in execution received the much-needed push but said the allocation could have been higher.
Rajkumar Dugar, convener of Citizens for Citizens (C4C), told The Hindu, “I believe that the project needs more than just financial support; it requires a strong push from the Ministry of Railways. Beyond financial resources, it’s crucial for our public representatives to fully understand the various aspects of the BSRP and actively monitor and facilitate its progress. The project faces several challenges, including a lack of proactive cooperation from SWR. These issues urgently need to be addressed with intervention from MPs.”
Meanwhile, KRIDE sources said the Budget outlined a realistic funding requirement. An official said, “KRIDE is actively working on securing the necessary funds for the project through external agencies.”
Congress MLA and Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy expressed his disappointment with the Central government for not allocating any funds to Bengaluru in the Budget.
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