A Vision Plan for Railways in KarnatakaIntroduction

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.

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

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

.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

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.

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 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