A vision plan for Railways in Karantaka

1. A Vision Plan for Railways in Karnataka
Introduction
For past 62 years Indian railways have made tremendous stride in both in passenger travel as well as in goods
transportation. The last 5 years also saw new Indian Railways, reinventing itself from on the verge of bankruptcy to
profits in tens of thousands of crores. That itself is the testimony to the fact public sectors are not white elephants if
they are run properly and efficiently. For this feat, every railway employee deserves congratulations and kudos.
For Indian Railways to continue its success story and still make a difference in lives of ordinary citizens, it has to
reinvent itself in a new avatar. It is not a wish list that Railways makes a mark difference in people’s lives. But it is
urgent requirement of Railways to make remarkable difference to the country’s infrastructure and transportation
needs. Now is the perfect time for railways to demonstrate that it is in sync with the national priorities.
The vision plan for Railways in Karnataka is a humble effort in that national aspirations to lay out that new outlook,
new vision, that Indian Railways should adopt. The ideas and suggestions in this document is the outcome of a
various discussions that has taken place on various forums and online forum like (www.praja.in).
The intent of this document is to layout the wish list for railways in Karnataka that stimulates the state’s economy,
help the state with its transportation needs and become a major partner in state’s public transport infrastructure.
Railway’s Budgets
Every year when the railway budgets are presented in the parliament, it boost of more trains, more railway lines,
followed by cries of injustices and prejudiced against certain states. The new additions are more to do with the
politics than actual needs. The state which is fortunate to have its MP as the Railway ministers gets to benefit the
most at the cost of other states. There is no issue of Railway minister’s home state getting more benefits, if other
states don’t get affected. But the reality is far from this wish list. A closer look at each of the new additions reveals
that there is no indication of any planning to plug the gaps in railway infrastructure.
In absence of any consolidated and comprehensive plans to meet the railway infrastructure real needs of the
states, the state of existing railway infrastructure in the state of Karnataka is very abysmal and very meager in
quantity. Years of neglect and absence of scientific planning in railway plans is visible in the pathetic foot print
railways has in Karnataka. Time has come to address this gross neglect and need of the moment.

2. 1. First Step – A Vision Plan
The first step railways in Karnataka have to take up is to come up with a vision plan that outlines the tasks that are
cut out for next 20-25 years. It should be a solid plan where the importance is given to the details, Tasks that can be
quantified and performance is measurable.
1.1 Vision Plan – A road map for next 20-25 year
There are many areas that railways need to focus on in Karnataka in specific and nationally in general.
• To provide direct connectivity to Bengaluru from each and every district headquarter in Karnataka
• To provide the railway connectivity from every nook and corner of the state
1. Direct connectivity to neighboring districts
2. Connectivity to all districts directly or indirect ly with a maximum of one change over
3. Direct connectivity to towns/cities located in bordering states
4. Connectivity to major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi and other major tourist and business
centers
• To provide the services and connectivity for faster and cheaper goods transport from one village/town to other
• To provide the very best of the passenger amenities in all the existing railway stations
• To provide the better and efficient commuter rail service in all the major cities of Karnataka including
Bangalore

3. 2 State level Zones
First thing that should railways plan on doing is to tear down the existing zonal systems. Instead it should plan on
creating a zone for every state and provide the needed autonomy so that each state zone can plan and augment
services that would help the state. Karnataka will have Karnataka Circle Railways, AP will AP circle railways etc.This
is the policy in other central departments like post, telecommunications, Income Tax, Customs etc.
This one important change would completely change the railway and its outlook. It would usher a new era in
railways in India. It will rest the cries of injustices to states forever. States governments then can work with the
state zones according to their needs and zeal.
3 Direct Connectivity to Bengaluru
Bengaluru city being the state capital and a center of political, economic and tourist importance, a direct railway
connectivity from every part of the state is of vital importance. Currently there are still districts like Udipi, North
Kanara, Kodagu, Chikamagaluru, Chamarajnagar which lacks direct connectivity to the city of Bengaluru. It is very
essential that steps be taken for planning and implementation for providing the direct train service from these
districts.
4 Railway connectivity and services in every district
For some reasons many of the districts in Karnataka still lacks the railway infrastructure and trains services. If one
were to draw a chart of railway connectivity between each district, we will see more reds (for no connectivity) than
greens (for direct connectivity). Appendix-I list this chart. It is very evident that railways have more to do in
Karnataka to provide every district with the needed railway infrastructure and services.
This cannot be done on an ad hoc basis without resorting to carefully getting to know the real needs of every
district on one side and plan to address each and every single need on the other side. That can only be possible by a
scientific study and a corresponding action plan to meet the requirements. Therefore a first step railways or
Government of Karnataka should immediately take up is to initiate a study to:
• Determine all the railway needs of every district from the stand point of passengers as well business needs.
• Plan on building the needed infrastructure to fulfill those needs in terms of new/more railway lines, stations,
goods sheds, transfer facilities etc.
1. Laying of new railway lines
2. Converting the all the existing narrow and meter gauge lines to broad gauge
3. Improve/Spruce all stations to be functional stations providing decent basic passenger amenities which
are functional.
4. Scheduling/Rescheduling of trains connecting the neighboring towns and all major cities in the state

4. 5. Connecting service to take the long distance trains from nearest junctions to places like Delhi, Mumbai,
Chennai, Kolkata and all major tourist and business centers.
The study should be followed up with the time bound action plan to add the needed infrastructure in next 5-10
years.
5 Facilities and services for goods transportation
Railways can unleash reign of economic boom not only to itself but to states economy both in rural and urban
areas. Railways have a wonderful opportunity to provide the much needed goods transportation facilities to move
goods from one corner of the state to other. Goods transport via railway is:
• Economical
• Environmentally friendly
• Keeps the roads/highways free from more trucks and vans
• Save millions in foreign exchange with reduced oil bills
For this to happen, railways need to take up the building of goods transportation infrastructure on a war footing
basis. The infrastructure must help all sections of business and farming industry to transport their products and
produce to the intended markets and destinations. The infrastructure must provide:
• Decent and clean Storage Facilities for perishable andnon-perishable items
• Goods loading and unloading facilities
• Parking, Loading. Unloading area for other local transport vehicles to transfer it from/to railway wagons
• Decent basic amenities like waiting area, toilets, access to food corners, Phone/Fax/Email centers for traders,
porters, customers, agents and railway officials who work in the goods transport area.
• Dependable schedule of goods wagons availability
• Safety and security at all times
6 Better and functional passenger amenities
The state of existing passenger amenities in all stations not only in Karnataka, but everywhere else is a blot to the
India’s rich tradition of hospitality. Today’s passengers amenities infrastructure is so bad that one would be forced
to take a vow not use the train next time. Pathetic passenger amenities are being cited as one of the reasons for
very low turnout in national and international tourists. In next 5 years, railways have no other option except to
invest and bring a sea change in passenger amenities that are provided at every railway station.
Every railway station must provide:
• The decent, clean, safe, well lit and comfortable waiting areas

5. • Clean and hygienic toilets and wash rooms for everybody – Men, women, Handicap, infants, children
• Customer / Information kiosks operating round the clock (24/7)
• Round the clock first aid and primary care facility
• Easy and comfortable pathways to all the platforms and ticketing booths
• Ample parking for passenger drop off, employees and visitor vehicles
• Facilities for drop off and pickup areas for public and local transport transfer vehicles
• Provide integrated transfer facility to local and other public transport services
7 Commuter rail service in major cities
With the fast expanding of urban economies, major cities of Karnataka in particular are in dire need of multi public
transport choices to meet its urban commuter needs. Even though in recent days railways is trying to lob the ball in
state govt’s court to address the rail services for urban transportation. But reality is railways is best placed to offer
this kind of service as it already owns the necessary infrastructure starting from additional land to the already
existing lines and stations. Also it is the most experienced in rail service operations. It is one area where railways
can play an innovative role in providing the urban transport services for the daily commute as well as short
distance goods transport within the cities. This would reduce the burden on road based public transport system
giving much needed relief and necessary bandwidth for efficient and safe operation of PT services.
Bengaluru is in urgent need of dependable commuter rail service followed by city of Mysore, Mangalore. Since the
times have changed and financial viability is the driving force for every public utility projects and services, railways
should offer this service in a “Public Private Partnership” basis.

6. 8 What does Bengaluru needs?
In past 2 decades, our city of Bengaluru has grown exponentially and its transport and commuter needs also has
grown exponentially. With its limitation on road based infrastructure, BMTC, Taxis, Cabs, Private vehicles can only
offer help only up to certain extent. Now metro is slated to offer additional help in solving Bengaluru’s needs. But
that also will fall short of its complete needs. It is in this context that railways can exploit its existing infrastructure
to boost the city’s local commuter needs. This section shall list those services that railways should offer in
Bengaluru.
8.1 Functional Railway Stations
The existing railway stations needs urgent repairs and modifications that showcase the city’s strength and
characteristics. City provides the world’s best IT services, but its railway station still functions in old colonial and
socialist traditions. Worst is it lacks all the basic amenities. Time has come for complete facelift of all the stations in
Bengaluru. AT minimum the station must offer:
• The decent, clean, safe, well lit and comfortable waiting areas
• Clean and hygienic toilets and wash rooms for everybody – Men, women, Handicap, infants, children
• Customer / Information kiosks operating round the clock (24/7)
• Round the clock first aid and primary care facility
• Easy and comfortable pathways to all the platforms and ticketing booths
• Ample parking for passenger drop off, employees and visitor vehicles
• Facilities for drop off and pickup areas for public and local transport transfer vehicles
• Provide integrated transfer facility to local and other public transport services
8.2 City Commuter Rail Service
With existing stations lying in periphery of city’s municipal boundaries, railways should not have any problem in
introducing circular commuter rail service. This service would help the daily commuters, who resides in the vicinity
to make use of this choice to reach the city centers and industrial/commercial areas. This would definitely bring
down the usage of private vehicles in these corridors and in central business district.
8.3 Sub-Urban Rail Service
Yesterday’s neighboring villages, towns and casabas have transformed into sprawling sub-urbs of Bengaluru.
Hosakote, Nelamangala, Devenahalli, Chikkaballapur, Doddaballapur, Magadi, Bidadi/Ramanagaram, Anekal etc
are few to name in this league. A sub-urban rail service running between these places and Bengaluru would
immensely benefit the daily office goers and traders who needs to travel to Bengaluru on daily basis. That would

7. discourage them to use their private vehicles, save on petrol/diesel, help in less congestion on roads and resulting
in minimum traffic mishaps.
8.4 Commuter Service to BIAL
With the operation of Bengaluru’s international airport on the outskirts of Devanahalli, there is a constant demand
to provide the dependable, fast and reliable train service from city locations to the airport. There have been many
proposals including High Speed Rail, extending the Metro etc. But infrastructure availability and financial viability is
pushing the town planners to do a rethink on HSRL and Metro options. Given this situation, there has been
discussions in public forums for running a regular commuter rail service to the airport. The main motivation here is
the existing railway line that passes from very nearby location to BIAL. Among the HSRL, Metro options, regular
train/commuter rail service solution offers the best cost effective option. With small adjustments and integration, it
is possible to run a commuter rail service between city locations and airport.
To start with, railways in partnership with BIAL, BMTC should come up with a plan to run the commuter rail service
to BIAL by:
• Using the existing BG line which runs very close to the BIAL premises
• Construct a station at this location as BIAL stop
• Run a shuttle service from/to BAIL
• Offer monthly/season pass for the benefit of daily travelers specially who work at the airport