From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 6: Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil has asked the authorities to extend the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project to neighbouring cities like Mysuru, Gauribidanur and Kolar to benefit a larger cross-section of people.

Reviewing the performance of Infrastructure Development Department in Bengaluru on Tuesday, the minister directed the officials to submit a revised project report by including the cities surrounding Bengaluru.

The traffic congestion in Bengaluru can be effectively tackled only if people from neighbouring regions are provided with seamless travel facility by train rather than using personal vehicles, he said.

The first phase of the Rs 15,767 crore projectinvolving a rail network of 148 kms is under implementation.

Patil said the project in its present form will not help in reaching its objectives. "It must be extended from Ramanagara to Mysuru, from Doddaballapur to Gauribidanur-Hindupur and from Chikkaballapur to Kolar,’’ he said asking a revised project report to be prepared.

The suburban rail project in its present form proposes extension from Ramanagara to Chikkabanavara, Doddaballapur and Whitefield., which have virtually become part of Bengaluru.

The project must extent to at least 100 kms radius around the city if it has be really effective and help the industries, the minister said.

Patil asked the officials to extend the phase 1 project from Chikkabanavar to Benniganahalli up to Dobbaspet in Tumkur now itself so that it would benefit the industrial areas in the region.