Bengaluru: It is official. Exactly 20 years after it was first proposed, Bengaluru city is all set to get its first batch of commuter train on January 16. According to the itinerary finalised by the Union Railway Board, on January 16, union railway minister Suresh Prabhu will launch Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) service between Bengaluru city railway station and Ramanagar.
According to the South Western Railway (SWR) officials, MEMU service will be launched on January 16 evening. “As per the plan, SWR will also start MEMU service between Bengaluru city railway station and Whitefiled. But it is not commuter train. This MEMU will use only existing lane,’ explained an officer.
Highlights of Bengaluru-Ramanagar MEMU
According to the SWR officials, one of the two tracks between Bengaluru-Ramanagar will be used for MEMU. “Initially only morning and evening services are planned. But once the service will pick up additional timings will be added,” he said.
Meanwhile, state government and Railway have decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on same evening over implementation of Commuter Train services in Bengaluru. “Earlier it was decided that commuter train will be implemented on cost sharing basis between Railways and state government. But now it has been decided to set up a separate body in line with BMRCL/ Konkan Railways. Modalities of the project will be finalised shortly which will be reflectin the MoU,” explained a senior officer of SWR.
