Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa admitted that the ban on export of iron ore, imposed by the governments of Odisha and Karnataka, dented the revenues of Indian Railways, but declined to speak further on the issue. “I am not blaming anyone, but it is a fact that freight revenue has decreased because of the ban,” he said in an exclusive interview after the railway budget. He also side-stepped questions on the uproar over hike in fares announced by Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi.
What does the railway budget hold for the people of Karnataka?
We propose to introduce 17 new trains, build an integrated coach manufacturing factory at Kolar and a well-equipped disaster management training centre in Bengaluru. Apart from the new trains, we will take up new line projects in collaboration with the state government in Gadag-Haveri, Gadag-Wadi, Chikballapur-Puttaparthy and Srinivasapura-Madanapalle routes. We will also launch new line surveys on Haveri-Sirsi, a rain link to connect Dandeli and Hubli-Ankola line, Shimoga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur and Madhugiri-Gauribidanur.
The gauge conversion projects along Kolar-Chintamani and Chikballapur-Siddlagatta stretches as well as doubling of Ramanagar-Channapatna, Mysore-Naganhalli, Maddur-Hanakere, Ballakere-Birur and Birur-Ajjampur (part) would be completed this year.
What about the proposal on the bullet train to Mysore?
You will hear more about the projects as our officers are already on the job.
What about the slow progress in doubling of tracks between Bengaluru and Mysore?
The project will be completed this year. We have also added some more routes for doubling of tracks.
There’s no mention of the commuter train for Bengaluru?
We did not look at the proposal as the state government did not extend its full support.