Commuter Rail - Will it ever materialize ?

Most of us are aware that the CTTP-2007 report had recommended a Commuter /Sub-urban rail system for the city, totalling 204.0km (this includes city & suburban services upto Tumkur, Hosur & Ramanagaram). A few sub-urban trains are in operation & are being run by Southwestern railways (SWR), but the system is not of much help to urban commuters.

Deregulated State Railway Authority

KRC is the model to go if we need to resolve the local problems. If Delhi continue plan and execute we will definitely continue to have hundreds of  KR Puram/Whitefield like engineering disasters called flyovers.

Meeting with Mr V Madhu, IDD

As we see via the BMLTA meeting records (http://www.bmlta.org/sites/default/files/Proceedings_6th_Meeting_BMLTA.pdf), IDD (Mr V Madhu) seems to be batting for Commuter Rail. Let us plan the first meeting with him.

We need more guys to join the project though. Don't care at this time whether it is possible or not. Just join in and raise the pitch on this issue, ashtay.

Commuter / Local Trains for Bangalore from March

Finally KH Muniyappa, union minister of state for railways, announced that the South Western Railway’s train services from the city to Devanahalli will commence in March 2010 as per schedule. He said on Saturday that train services to Anekal would also start
by March

Commuter Rail - attention local news journalists

Now that we have a window opening for Commuter Rail Services, we need to spread solid awareness about the possibilities and issues. Towards that, members of this Praja project are making an appeal to media personnel. Please carry informative and detailed reports on possiblities, plans and success factors for commuter rail services for Bengaluru. We are promising all help - we will spend time with you to write them, or if you are okay, even write the details for you.

Please contact any one of (vinod_shankar, Sanjeev, Raghu Nandana M, Naveen, silkboard) us, and we will sit with you to write the detailed and informative stories.

Our support will be on first come first served basis, and we look forward to support from one or more wide circulation newspapers of Karnataka.

Support this project, and help Bengaluru take a big step towards solving its huge problem of transportation and internal connectivity.

BMLTA sub committee 6th meeting on 14th Dec'2009

BMLTA Sub Committtee minutes of meeting held on 14th Dec'2009,  Principal Secretary, Infrastructure Development Department.

Here things are clear on starting of services between Yesvanthpur to Anekal and DRM of SWR has agreed finally to start the services between Yesvanthpur to Anekal once they get the Amount for two Rakes.

RTI with SWR to get official position on commuter rail

We are definitely hearing more about commuter rail in news media these days. But the state government, and Raily Ministry may be working on different things. Circular Rail may only be for connecting peripheral areas (may be even part of Peripheral Ring Road, as I remember the specs of PRR talked of leaving space of rail tracks on the side or median, you never know). When we say Commuter Rail, we are talking of a system that will support BMRC and BMTC by adding more trunk routes for going in/out of the city.

Saneev, with lot of talk about costs, but no clear statements on what the plans are, we need to file some RTIs to get official and on-record positions of various parties on the matter.

Let us start with South Western Railway. If you haven't filed an RTI earlier, please leave a comment, and one of us who have the details will leave a detailed note on how to go about it.

I will take care of filing one with Karnataka Government post our meeting with Mr Madhu. I am hoping that we will get the needed information (current official position) from Mr Madhu himself, and wont require to file an RTI.

Local Train / Commuter Rail Inputs uploaded

Following Files uploaded regarding the Local Trains / Commuter Rail for Bangalore  city.

1. Existing  Railway Stations and New Railway Stations needed.

2. Existing  61 + 4 services  of  DEMU / Passanger Trains running arround Bangalore City

3. Bangalore City Railway Track with METRO alignment

4. Approach to be followed for Starting Local Trains

5. Capacity Exists with Bangalore Railway Tracks

6. To be Proposed  11 Alignments  of Local Trains for Bangalore City

7. Changes needed for Local Trains Yesvanthour to Hosur with more Frequency

8. Need for Local Trains and its struggel for Bangalore city.

Other can suggest for changes needed on this so that we can build on this.

Tale of Hebbal station

Hebbal SWR station located in ward 20 adjacent to the ring road services wards 19, 20, 21 on the inside & ward 8 on the outside. The demographics of these wards lend itself to heavy public transport usage. Let us look at this station from a CRS standpoint

The station itself is bare and clean. The reservation counters are empty but the station manager is helpful in printing tickets to those who ask. It has 2 platforms with tracks in the middle. Only the platform closest to the entrance is used by the YH1 CRS train. This is possibly to prevent crossing over from the other platform as you will have to walk on the tracks to cross over.

Hebbal station looking towards Yeshwantpur

The entrance to the station is on the Ring road side. 

Ring road west (towards Yeshwantpur) from station entrance

Report - Bangalore local train ride & meet

Ah! Ufff!. What an eye opener. Easily the best Praja meeting of all. I am so lost for words here. So would be IDS, Murali, Naveen and Manjari you bet. Otherwise, we would have logged in our reports yesterday itself.

New BDA layouts and Commuter Rail stations - Belandur Road, Karmelaram

Following up on post frpm IDS to detail out the Hebbal station, it is worth it to dig deep into possibilities for Belandur Road and Karmelaram Stations.

The case today

Look at the location of the station, and you can see that:

Email to Public Relations Office, SWR

Sent this email to Public relations officer of South Western Railway. If you too are a believer in potential of Commuter Rail, please join in, and email the PRO. More the better. Here is what I sent, can be used as your template.

To,

Chief Public Relations Officer, South Western Railway, Hubli
Phone : +91 836 2360747
Email : cpro [at] swr.railnet.gov.in

Dear Sir,

Ever Since RITES CTTP recommended commuter rail service for Bangalore, we have been waiting for action from South Western Railway. Recently, we have been hearing a lot about Circular Railway and Commuter Rail services for Bangalore Metropolitan Area. Could you please clarify if SWR is considering working on either of these projects. Please also clarify on the difference between Circular and Commuter Rail.

Meeting with Mr V Madhu, Infrastructure Development Dept

On the subject of commuter rail plans, finally, we have a meeting comfirmed with Mr V Madhu. got this from Mr Madhu's office. Thursday 20th May, 3 PM, Vikasa Soudha.

You are invited for the Meeting with Shri V.Madhu, Principal Secretary to Government,  Infrastructure Development Department on 20th May 2010  at 15:00hrs  in Room no-28, Ground Floor, Vikasa Soudha, Bangalore-560009   You are requested to carry a copy of this mail to allow yourself inside Vikasa Soudha.

RTI to SW Railways regardig CRS

Am attaching the RTI to be mailed to South Western Railways regarding Commuter Rail proposals. It is based on our discussions on http://praja.in/en/projects/3110/tasks/rti-with-swr-get-official-position-commuter-rail. I couldn't think of a good way of asking questions regarding scope for track doubling. I am also not sure how they would respond to "track utilization" questions. But anwyay, good to shoot a letter to know their current position on CRS.

Since we will be meeting Mr Madhu this week, let us hold off on RTI to state govt/IDD. It may not be needed at all.

Commuter Rail meetings with Mr Ananth Kumar, Mr V Madhu - report

Yesterday was kind of a big day for this project. Some of us met Mr V Madhu, Principal Secretary, Infrastructure Development Department, Govt of Karnataka. And Sanjeev managed a meeting with BJP MP, Mr Ananth Kumar.

Murali, blrsri, N, IDS and myself were there with Mr Madhu, spent about an hour with him, mostly listening to his thoughts. He seemed like a high energy guy. And as it happens in the most of these meetings, the ball was thrown back in our court. Mr Madhu asked us to return in a couple of weeks with a report carrying all our ideas on CRS and an actionable way.

Sanjeev too, from his meeting with Mr Ananth Kumar, got this task of getting back to him with a solid presentation on Commuter Rail for Bangalore.

Presentation on CRS

 Prepare a presentation on CRS

CRS for Bangalore

Overview

Per McKinsey report on India’s urbanization to 2030:

Citizen's Demand Report for Bengaluru CRS

Here is the draft version of the planned 'Demand Report' for CRS Bengaluru. This is work in rpogress, I am still working on and need lot of information to go into this document. I will keep updating this document and post it here for your review and comemnts.

CRS Project discussion

 This is a meeting to discuss planning & data collection for the report. Project members mandatory. Others interested welcome. RSVP with comments.

When: Saturday June 5th @ 6:30 PM IST

Where: TBD (Possibly on Skype also)

Commuter Rail Map - Need Metro, BMTC and HSRL Connection/Transit Point Information.

As IDS and others had mentioned, the Praja Demand Report for 'Namma Railu' (Bengalury Commuter Rail) is in finishing stages of realsing it to the GOK, GOI and Media agnecies. The release is planned for 1st week of July.

As a supplementary efforts, a commuter rail map is being developed and is in drafting stage. We are looking for following information:

1. List of Metro Stations
2. List of BMTC's Transit Centers (TTMC), Major Bus Depots/Stands
3. List of HSRL stops apart from Parad Ground, Hebbal, and Yelahanka

Don't need to write the big list. Just web links to the pages or the websites would do.

Contact me for any question.

Regards,

Syed

Brownfield incremental cities

Brownfield incremental cities

The challenge for India is to write a new chapter in low-cost urban development, the way it has done in wireless telephony and automobiles (Nano) writes Subir Roy

Why did I post this under Commuter Rail? Because it ties in very well with what we are trying to say. Commuter rail infrastructure costs afraction of the fortune we spend today as most of it is already available. Incremental investment in mordenization of signaling and operations is all that is required to make it efficient. If one picked the cities identified in this report, connect them to Bangalore and did all that the author is trying to say, we can have a world class ecosystem up and running in no time.5 years tops.

Is the govt listening? Are the bearucrats up to it?

No response from Mr Madhu's office

Want to share with all that I have tried several times to contact Mr Madhu for a meeting to share our now-ready CRS report with him. Have sent emails to his, and his PA's office, at least 5 emails. Have made at least 3 calls to his office as well. The person at other end, on one occasion, carried a chit for him while he was in the middle of a meeting.

Some of us took half day leaves from our work to meet him that day. We started on this report after our meeting with him, where during the meeting, he asked us to come back with a report summarizing our thoughts and suggestions. Now that the report is ready, and people have spent serious time putting it together, its only fair to expect him to at least accept the report.

He just got additional responsibilities, so its likely that he is busy with increased work load. We will try reach him again this week, email as well as phone, and in case there is no response yet again, we will assume that he didn't really expect us to complete it when he suggested that we prepare a written report.

Summary of Praja CRS Report - Namma Railu

Here is an overview of the Praja Report on CRS, titled "Namma Railu".

Decongestion of Bengaluru is a burning issue facing the administrators today. With the kind of visibility Bengaluru has in the international arena and the role India is going to play in the world of the future, it is important for both central and state governments to sit up and take notice. Ignoring the long term mass transport needs of the city can backfire on the country. The economy of any city thrives on availability of good quality labor at affordable cost. Expensive housing and increased travel times only put more pressure on productivity of human capital. This may ultimately lead to flight of capital and hurt the economy with cascading effect.

Commuter Rail meeting with CiSTUP, went well, summary

Sanjeev, IDS, PS Anantharam sir and myself went over to IISc today to meet head of CiSTUP. Short summary on how it went

• CiSTUP to add their review comments / foreword to the report
• We will jointly organize a roundtable/seminar at IISc/CiSTUP to formally release the report and discuss the subject with relevant government officers and leaders
• Will invite all transportation and investment related departments of Karnataka, railways as well, and also, local MLAs and MPs who have shown interest or tend to attend these.

We are thinking end of August for this Commuter Rail / Namma Railu seminar. Keep watching for mroe updates, or join in if you want to help organize this.

A hard copy of the report is available now, contact IDS or anyone from the Namma Railu project team if you want to see it. Wll upload the soft copy here as well as part of work for this seminar at CiSTUP.

Lets go Namma Railu :)

SPV Case Study - Konkan Railway !

These days I am in search of information on working of Special Purpose Vehicle. In this pursuit I have come across many pieces of info available on Internet.

Updated - Namma Railu Event, by invitation only, respond ASAP

We are organizing an event with CiSTUP, IISc, to discuss hurdles and next steps on Commuter Rail Service (CRS, aka Namma Railu). Entry is only by invitation, respond ASAP if you want to attend.

Namma Railu Meetup, on the Hosur Train

Bangalore region - Track doubling & electrification

The below figures should speak for itself. Except for the line from Mysore towards Chennai via city & Tumkur, all other lines around Bangalore are single track. I cant think of any other major city (even tier 2 towns) which is in such a pathetic situation?

Commuter Rail - Station air space could give 2000 Crores/year

There is air space available above all railway stations in Bangalore. What if some stations can be utilized as a source of income by the PPP or SPV operating Commuter Rail Service in Bangalore? What would the numbers look like? Tried doing some, and came close to Rs 2000 Crores per year. Here are the calculations for everyone to poke holes and correct.

Namma Railu - call to action report authored by Praja.in members

Friends, here is the Call to Action report on Commuter Rail service for Bengaluru authored by Namma Railu project team members. Report is attached in full, and will be used for discussions at the Namma Railu - Mobilicity event at CiSTUP, IISc (scheduled for Aug 30).

RTI response from SWR on Commuter Rail

[Posting this on behalf of Ritesh who filed the RTI]

Attached with this blog is the response from SWR to the RTI queries posed on Commuter Rail for Bengaluru. If you have any further questions based on this response, leave them as comments here so we can include them in the next RTI to SWR.

Bengaluru Train Network Map

Following map shows all the under construction and proposed train routes for Bengaluru. Commuter rail network is shown in Orange and the Monorail alignment approved this week under swiss challenge is shown in Dark Green. Click to expand the map in Flickr 

Thousand Cities - Growth Center Phenomenon!

Namma Railu - Call to action report rightly places the empahsis of developing the towns around Bengaluru as Growth center. The same spirit has been articulated in today's editorial piece of Indian Express.

PPP's of Indian Railways - A Report

 Attached is a report on PPP projects of Indian Railways over the years. Thanks to CiSTUP for sharing this with/for Praja with permission from G Raghuram. Please do not redistribute without permission from authors as it may infringe copyrights. It makes a very interesting reading

Let me know what you think, after reading?

Namma Railu Round Table - Minutes of the meeting

Praja thanks all participants for making it to the meeting & sharing their opinions. Special thanks to Prof.Sitharam (Chairman, CiSTUP) & staff of CiSTUP for their hospitality & for graciously hosting the event.

NammaRailu 2010 Roundtable - Press Release

Press Release

Namma Railu - Terms of Reference

At the end of the meeting on Namma Railu at IISc on 30-Aug-2010, we had agreed to work on a Terms of Reference (TOR) for raising a demand for DPR (Detailed Project Report) for Namma Railu.

[update] Revised TOR submitted to CiSTUP from Praja

Commuter Rail meeting with Chief Secretary, GoK

Meeting was called today by Chief Secretary SV Ranganath on request from V Madhu, Principal Secretary to GoK, Infrastructure Development Department to move forward commuter rail for Bangalore.

Planning to Meet with DRM / SWR & With Minister Ashok

I had met  DRM for 15 Minites at his office  last week on 12th Nov to get the update on the Commuter Rail.  He is very positive on the issue.

BCIC submits Commuter Rail proposal to Railway Minister/Board!

Namma Railu project team will like to thank BCIC for submitting Commuter Rail proposal to the railway ministry at a pre-budget interaction with the industry groups earlier this week. Please refer to the business standard report today (Nov 26): BCIC seeks clarity on PPP.

Commuter Rail meeting with Comsr, DULT

Namma Railu team is accompanying CiSTUP this week for a meeting with DULT on commuter rail. Authors of Namma Railu will be attending, and can take in 2 more Namma Railu enthusiasts to the meeting. Please post a comment if any other project member is interested.

Venue, timing and confirmation will be mailed to you once you post the comment.

Memo to Minister of State for railways

Sanjeev, Ritesh & myself went to the office of the Minister of State for Railways, Shri KH Muniyappa and submitted a memorandum to the Officer on Special Duty there. Have scheduled a meeting with the minister on 27th of the month after he is free from campaigning for the local elections that are on. See acknowledged memorandum below.

Namma Railu in News Again - This time Deccan Herald

Deccan Herald today carried a news item titled "NGO dusts off commuter rail idea" with a NR map.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/122932/ngo-dusts-off-commuter-rail.html

Why CRS Makes Sense? Socio-Economic Benefits Analysis!

All public utility projects are weighed against the socio-economic benefits that it brings in. Namma Railu - Bengaluru Commuter Rail Service is no exception to that rule.  World over it is acknowledge that investment in public transport system and infrastructure is always a PROFITABLE venture.

Meeting with Tumkur MP G S Basavaraj on 26th for Commuter Rail

After going thru' the Demands of Tumkur MP Mr G S Basavaraj, last week for Rail Budget 2011, decided to approach him for the Commuter Rail as Tumkur and Bangalore Railway Track is already double except electrified.

CRS meeting with RS DyChmn Rahman Khan on 29th Jan

Myself, Naveen & Sanjeev met with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Shri Rahman Khan. The meeting was arranged by Shri Maqbool Siraj via Syed. He grasped the concept & subject very well since he has been talking about similar initiatives for a long time. He also understood the need very well and we didn't have to convince him on the concept at all.

CRS Campaign - Email and Letters to MPs

Having come this far in the pursuit of camaigning for 'Namma Railu', I have started a 'Email & Letter' campaign to all the MPs from Karnataka specially who belongs to the CRS jurisdication and those who can make things happen.

'Commuter rail service for city still in limbo'

The Hindu reports that "Commuter rail service for city still in limbo":

BANGALORE: The proposed commuter rail or circular rail for Bangalore, aimed at decongesting the roads as well as offering speedy journey to harried motorists, appears to be in limbo with the State Government and the Ministry of Railways toeing different lines.

Facts of SWR claims of tracks over crowded exposed with starting of new Trains

The railway ministry has announced two new trains between Bangalore Cantonment to  Bangarpet, and between Bangarpet to Marikuppam from Friday.

Commuter Rail mentioned in the Karnataka State Budget by CM

55.  The Comprehensive Traffic and Transportation Plan for Bangalore has identified the need to take up commuter rail system within the city.

CRS is not in the railway budget of 2011-12

This morning I woke up to a bad or sad news about Bengaluru CRS. Spoke with IDS over the phone and he broke the news that Mamta's budget didn't had anything to say about Bengaluru CRS. That was really heart breaking. That too after so much work put down by Namma Railu team, Bengaluru CRS was nowhere to be heard in entire budget speech.

Bengaluru Commuter Rail meet on train

Agenda: Catchup on current status of the Commuter Rail & next steps.

Venue: YH1 leaving YPR @ 0630

Note: Praja Members would be in Last or second to last compartment as usual.

RTI response from SCR on MMTS

A few questions were asked of SCR regarding the MMTS suburban service of Hyderabad. Mostly to get a good understanding of how the entire system was rolled out. 

Bengaluru Commuter Rail Service can be profitable within a year!

Any public service entity would attract a microscopic view of its financial viability. Given the poor performance of many state run transport services and even Delhi Metro, it is not unexpected for somebody to question the financial viability of proposed Bengaluru Commuter Rail Service (CRS), aka Namma Railu.

Bangalore needs commuter rail

"Commuter rail more economically viable than the rapid-transit metro network'

Commuter Rail starting service soon

Massive step forward yesterday. Bestest meeting ever since we did the report last year so sharing this will all of you who have spent energy & effort in this cause. 

CM requesting Planning Commission to sanction Commuter Rail on cost sharing basis

With reference to Bangalore, Mr. Yeddyurappa said the Railways should take up Commuter Rail Project in partnership with the State Government on a cost-sharing basis.

The project would provide connectivity on the north-south and east-west access of existing surface rail lanes in Bangalore, he said.

Common mobility card

Namma Railu ( Metro ) could have a run for its money

Report from The Hindu:

Operation of commuter rail on the existing rail network surrounding Bangalore, a long-pending demand, could become a reality soon with the State Government agreeing to fund the acquisition of rail rakes by the Railways.

Congested roads

SWR & BMTC to blame for poor response for Devanahalli service

On the one hand the city whines that it doesn’t have a “lifeline” like Mumbai’s suburban trains. It clamours for Metro and other high-speed rail networks. On the other, South Western Railway (SWR) is planning to withdraw the train service from Yeshwanthpur to Devanahalli via Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) just a year after it was introduced.

City to get commuter rail services soon

State government, South Western Railway to share cost of commuter rail service.

A quaint and strange station : Byappanahalli railway station

Wearing a deserted look, the Byappanahalli railway station is in dismal shape boasting of the apathy and disinterest exhibited on the part of the authority concerned. The comfort of using other hi-tech railways stations of the city with facilities like the digital indicators and computerised systems vanishes, as soon as one comes face-to-face with this desolated base.

Train, solution to traffic woes?

 Another route that is largely unheard of is the 67 km Yeshwantpur- Hosur rail route.

Commuter Rail Project Reply from RITES

Here RITES confirming on the Commuter Rail project for Bangalore doing the detailed report.

But  reply from RITES says only as per the scope of work assigned to them for Cmmuter Rail.

Yesvantpur - Yelahanka Doubling held up due Land not provided by GoK

Here you can see the reply to RTI application on 

1. Yesvantpur to Yelahanaka ( 12 Kms ) is penidng due to Land not provided by GoK.

2. Yelahanka - Channasandra ( 12.9Kms ) tenders finalised but work not yet started.

3. Kolar - Chikballapur ( 96.5 Kms ) expetected to be completed in 2011-12.

ROB for ORR near Tumkur Road between Yesvantpur to Chikbanavar

Finally SWR has called tender for ROB at MES road connecting to Tumkur road on ORR which was real pain for road users.

Tender value worth Rs 20.22 Crore , to be completed in 24 months. As their are two rail gates, it was nighmare for road travell.

CRS will be a boon for IT professionals

Rithesh Swamy lives near the Yelahanka Railway Station. Yet, his travel to ITPL is cumbersome as there are no connecting trains till ITPL from Yelahanka during peak office hours. The KR Puram, Hebbal and Marathahalli junctions are chock-a-block with vehicles in peak hours. A well-networked commuter rail will provide some respite, say passengers.

Major Trains to stop at all Suburb Stations in Bangalore.

Dear Friends,

Malur needs Commuter Rail badly

Malur example shows how commuter rail will help the people

First woman to drive the MMTS on Women's Day

On Women’s Day, the South Central Railway has decided to harness woman power to drive a train. S Satyavathi will become the first independent woman loco pilot, when she runs out the Falaknuma-Lingampalli Mathrubhoomi Ladies Special MMTS on Thursday. Satyavathi, who joined the Railways as assistant loco pilot in 1999 at Bengaluru, was later transferred to the Secunderabad division.

When MRVC can progress so much why is Bangalore left out on commuter rail

From 2015, 12-car trains to run on harbour line

After three years, it might not be that difficult to board a Panvel train.

The union cabinet and its committees have given the green light to run 12-car trains on the harbour line from CST-Belapur-Panvel and Bandra-Andheri section and alsoinformed the railway ministry about it in early February.

Commuter rail update/way forward meet

We meet 8AM, Saturday, 21st April 2012 at Fredom Park to discuss commuter rail progress so far & next steps. Do come. 

KR Puram station - no morning rush? no Commuter Rail!

We had done such rush hour train watch exercises two years ago at Whitefield station. Last week, got a chance to do it at KR Puram station. Had to be at KR Puram station early in the morning for a pick up. Was there on Friday, 6th April, from 7.05 am to 8.25 am. From commuter rail perspective, that would be rush hour, right?

During these 90 minutes:

Commuter Rail Article in IT / ITES

Commuter Rail / Local Trains will benefit the following areas and segment of Citizens:

Perfect choice for late night travel Bangarpet-Whitefield-Bengaluru-Mysore by Train

As I wait for the Chennai bound Kaveri Express at Bangalore City station on Platform-5, a train enters Platform 6 at 11:15 pm which is announced as Bangarpet-Bangalore Express. A closer look at it reveals it is only an Express for namesake as it looks more like a passenger train.

Bangalore could get suburban rail too

The city could well be going the Mumbai way. In a first step to revive suburban trains for better connectivity into the city, Rail Indian Technical and Economic Services (RITES) will ready the feasibility study by June first week. The Suburban Commuter Rail System will connect nearby high-density locations like Ramanagaram, Mandya, Chikkaballapur and Hosur to the city

What matters for Commuter Rail Sucess?

"..most important things in success of commuter rail is, geographic location, geographic location and geographic location."

How SWR has admitted its short comings on Signalling at Bayippanahhali

Here is the RTI reply from SWR  for the track improvements at Bayippanahalli. Till now how SWR has fooled public on its tracks being over utilized. Its high time SWR / GoK start thinking that they exist for Citizens and they should serve in the interest of Citizens.

Controversy brewing over commuter rail, Metro to blame?

Time to indulge in some talk on Namma Railu aka Commuter Rail Service (CRS). RITES has submitted a report to DULT last week. Sources claim that Rs 3000-4000 Crore can give Bangalore a 15 minute lead time commuter rail system covering 200 odd kms of distance. We will validate this once the RITES report is made public.

RITES report on Implementation of Commuter Rail for Bengaluru

The draft report of the Implementation of Commuter Rail for Bengaluru has been released by RITES to DULT. DULT has shared the report with us for our comments. We are expected to profvide our feedback before 30th of this month. SO do leave your feedback as comments to this thread. 

Summary of June 2012 RITES draft report on CRS

In June 2012, RITES submitted a draft report on feasibility / go forward details on commuter rail service (CRS) for Bengaluru to DULT. Here is a summary and abstract of relevant portions of this report. The report is also available in full at this link.

Other Commuter Rail Study reports for Reference

Hidalgo County Commuter Rail Study

http://www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/14006

On Page 207 : Public meting held to take opinion of the Public.

Praja Commuter Rail presentation @ OneBengaluru

Sunday 8th July 2012, 3PM @ 1677 17th Main, J.P.Nagar 2nd Phase, Bangalore,

Proceedings of DULT meeting on 2012 RITES Report on Bengaluru CRS !

CRS Publicity Posters in Kannada!

Couple of praja members had requsted for CRS publicity posters. Here are 2 versions of CRS posters in Kannada. You all may feel free to use it for CRS publicity at workplace, apartment societies, Malls and public spaces. Please feel free to print, distribute and display at prominent locations.

CRS Publicity Posters in English

Time now for the final push to CRS train. Otherwise it may be left standing where it was before Praja's Namma Raiu campaign. This time a lot has been done at government level with RITES doing a technical report and GOK, SWR showing considerable interest in it.

Public Dicussion on Commuter Rail Service at Tumkur, Ramangarm, ITPL etc.

This is the right time to build pressure on Govt / Railways to implement the CRS ASAP. First in these efforts is to conduct  CRS awareness campaign in B'lore and all teh CRS coverage area. Let us plan and oragnize few meets at Tumkur, Ramangaram, ITPL, EC, Hosur, Bangarper, Malur, Chikballapur, Dodballapur, Kengeri etc.

A Presentation on 'Commuter Rail Service for Bengaluru'

Dear Prajagale,

Here is a copy of the power point presentation on proposed 'Commuter Rail Service In Bengaluru', which is nicknamed as 'Namma Railu'. This is the version used  at 'Bangalore One' and 'Public Discussion' event past week.

Write to Chief Minister and demand CRS for Bengaluru!

The time has come for all us to become proactive and start building up the pressure and influence to advance the cause of Commuter Rail in Bengaluru. In past many times CRS has missed the bus. But this time lets ensure that it is impelmented ASAP.

CRS - Time to Contact our representatives in Parliament and State Assembly!

As Praja member, Naveen, has said, Transportation is more often a 'Political Problem' than anything else. He is right and now the proposed Commuter Rail project is definitely a political problem and is awaiting for that political approval. From state to central, it needs political blessings.

Commuter Rail Meeting at Tumkur on 5th of Aug'2012

Please Note - This meeting has been postponed till further announcement due to the unavailability of the MP Basavaraj tomorrow, he apparently has to go to Delhi. Inconvienience caused is regretted. WiIl keep you all informed as we hear about the next date for this event.

-NR Team

CRS Presentation in Kannada!

Courtesy, Guruprasad, here is the CRS Presentation in Kannada. Many thanks to him for converting the english version into Kannada. Great effort.

Please feel free to review and give your feedback.

FAQs - Bengaluru Commuter Rail Service

What is Bengaluru Commuter Rail Service?
It is a local train service that is being proposed to be run on existing railway lines that passes through city centers and connects the suburbs and towns around Bengaluru.

The proposal is to run the local train service on the lines of local trains in Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

CRS - Publicity Brochures in English

Here is the humble effort to disseminate some basic information about the proposed Bengaluru Commuter Rail Service. I do hope that all interested would find the material informative and useful for self understanding and spreading the word to others.

Press & Media Center

Welcome to the Praja's Online Media Center, covering the Citizens campaign for Bengaluru Commuter Rail Service. Thanks to the media, both electronic and paper, there has been good coverage of plans for implementing CRS in Bengaluru.

How Can I help the CRS Campaign?

I am busy, can't find time to help Praja members in commuter rail campaign?

Really difficult to dedicate time to attend meetings with government officials?

Just not possible to participate in all the public discussions on CRS?

Regarding Train Day

I saw a write up in Bangalore Mirror yesterday.  I am not able to access the BM website somehow to paste a link -> it would not open at home yesterday and now some filter at work is blocking it.

CRS coverage in Daily Salar Urdu News paper!

Courtesy Mr. M A Siraj (Freelance Journalist), a urdu daily news paper "Daly SALAR" carried the CRS article in two parts. Part-1 was published on past Sunday (Aug 5) and Part-2 on Wednesday August 7.

CRS Cost Benefit Analysis in 'The Hindu'

The Hindu - Rail line as a lifeline By M A Siaraj

Commuter Rail meeting with DRM / SWR

Meeting WIth DRM / SWR Bangalore Division

As new DRM Mr Anil Kumar Agarwal taken over from Mr Mani last month,  to update him on RITES report and regarding Train day which is beeing planned in Sept'2012.

Let us know who can make it even though this meeting is in  the morning

CRS - Campaign to send 100 Petitions to CM asking for immediate approval

Dear Prajagale,

Time has come for all of us to join and support the 'Namma Railu' team in demanding immediate approval to the 'Commuter Rail Project'. Namma Railu team is starting a campaign for sending at least '100 Petitions' to Chief Minister and other government machinery. Please help NR team in this effort.

CRS Publicity through morning newspaper distribution!

Prajagale,

Bengaluru CRS - RITES Final Report

Courtesy, Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), here is the copy of the RITES final report that submitted to the DULT. You would remember that In June/July, RITES had submitted the draft report which was deliberated upon by all the stakeholders including the "Praja-RAAG". Per DULT, this is the final version of the report based on the feedback from DULT, and SWR.

A PIL for Namma Railu aka Commuter Rail Service (CRS)

Friends, some of us have discussed possibilities of filing a PIL for seeking closure or accelerating work on Commuter Rail Service (CRS) for Bengaluru. At this point, we are not entirely sure how well or fast the project is moving. Going by some reports, there is good progress.

'Passenger trains yet to run to Nelamangala' - same old story

Hindu reported this weekend that SWR is yet to start trains to Nelamangala. Story here, key excerpts:

Odd timings for the trains that are supposed to to run ...

CRS - Minutes of Nov 17th Meeting (Shared by PS, IDD) !

Dear Prajagale,

I would like to share the minutes of the meeting held under the chairmanship of Dr. Amita Prasad, IAS, Principal Secretary, UDD to examine the RITES report on "Implementation of Commuter Rail Service in Banaglore.

Thanks to Dr. Rajkumar Khatri, IAS, for sharing this meeting minutes with me in response to my email request.

Binny Mill Land (Next to City Railway Station) - Who owns it ?

For past few years, every now and then we come across news about Railways and Binny Mill land next to it. News always is about railways claiming to acquire the Binny Mill Land through state government. State govt also is reported to have agreed to transfer some land to railways.

SWR Tenders for Bangalore division - Will it help Namma Railu cause?

Here I am trying get all Tenders called by SWR in Bangalore Division. These infrastructure will  help CRS implementation.

1. Yeshvanthpur: Extension of FOB from Platform 2/3 to 4, 5 & 6

Tender called on 28.05.2012  value : Rs 78.42 Lakhs,  Duration of Completion 6 months from Tender award.

If you work in tech park / e-city type places - do read, important

Need your inputs and help please. Some of us are planning on an awareness campaign for Namma Railu aka demand for Commuter Rail Service. If you work in a tech park like place, or in large offices, wanted to check on a few things:

test blog - check for namma railu auto publish on FB page

<edited>

test blog -

lets see if this gets published auto.

Deepak

Connect the Dots - Conversation on Sustainability, Social Good and Us!

Namma Railu - Economic Returns!

In the era of market economy, there is absolutely no chance or room for any projects only on basis of social good. The government officials who are entrusted to consider such projects for approvals are increasingly scrutinizing the projects very closely taking into account the investments and returns it will accrue in coming years.

Namma Railu Facebook page has a new URL now - https://www.facebook.com/NRBLR

New Facebook page for Namma Railu -

https://www.facebook.com/NRBLR

Changed the name to a simpler one so that while talking to people, announing it anywhere, we can have a simple name like http .... dash dash dash slash NRBLR

In coming public-outreach campaigns, it will be very useful.

Deepak

Private Public Participation model for CRS!

Back in early 1990’s, government still owned everything, one man thought otherwise for an international airport project.   When the State government asked the then district collector of Ernakulum, Mr.

No Commuter Rail Proposal from GOK - PMO

"No proposal was received from Government of Karnataka to start the Commuter Rail Service in Bangalore" was the reply from Prime Minister's office to a RTI query.

Namma Railu Brochure - Promise of Growth Beyond Bengaluru!

Here is the latest version of Namma Railu / CRS Brochure for distribution at work, Apartments, Public Places, Government Offices, Shopping Areas etc. It will be handy document to carry at events where we might have opportunity to talk to Babus, Politicians. This brochure carries the CRS proposal in very simple language and language that ordinary people can connect with.

Commuter Rail - Match Fixing

We are now past all the Budgets and big-bang announcements from both State and Central Govt. Time for some close up analysis of all these unfortunate annual Tamshas. It is clear by now that, in the GOK state budget, Railway Budgets and the latest Union Budget, there was remotely any hint of support to commuter rail service proposal.

Namma Railu gets Approval from State Government!

Prajagale,

Namma Railu Proposal has been approved by GOK.........................

Did Railway Board Lie to Tumkur MP Shri. G. S. Basavaraj?

In July 2011, Railway Board in a letter responding to Tumkur MP Shri. G. S. Basavaraj's request for CRS between Tumkur and Bengaluru, had indicated that they have asked South Western Railways, Hubli, to discuss this proposal with Government of Karnataka. Here is that letter.

Report - Commuter Train to Nelamangala

Report By Hemanth Kumar

Commuter Rail promise in BJP's Bangalore manifesto

BJP released its Bangalore Manifesto last evening. Here is the PDF, Kannada. There is a clear promise regarding Commuter Rail, 'misspelt' slightly as Commuters Rail.

K R Puram Station

In this thread,  we will share or update  on the K R Purma station related news,  tenders & info.

Better days ahead for KR Puram railway station

Whitefield Railway Station

Kadugodi residents wait for safety of foot overbridge, The long-pending demand of a pedestrian crossing at Whitefield Railway Station remains a non-starter.

More from source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/338399/kadugodi-residents-wait-safety-foot.html

Sunday June 23 - Namma Railu Campaign Strategy Meeting

EMU / MEMU / DEMU rakes for Commuter Rail Bangalore : why not BEML support this

Rakes / Coaches needed for Commuter Rail Bangalore   : BEML  is regularly supplying Stainless Steel EMU coaches of 72 numbers and 60 numbers of MEMU to Indian Railway.  Look at the Video's :                              &nb

Bangalore City Station Developments

Bangalore City: Proposed extension of Foot Over Bridge from Platform No 10 to MG colony.

Tender Cost : Rs 49,56,000/-   within 3 month work to be completed   after tender  awarded

200 Crorers - Initial Investment to start Bengaluru CRS in 6 to 12 months time!

With Congress Government in rule at the state and Shri. Mallikarjuna Kharge taking charge of Railway Ministry, the chances of 'Namma Railu' aka Bengaluru CRS getting implemented has increased ever than before. The competitive challenges has also increased ever than before.

Good news - we will soon get "Bangalore suburban rail", Namma Railu is chugging ahead!

We are on track to get a "Bengaluru Suburban Rail". Yes, that is the formal name of the project!! Sharing this good news we heard today regarding Namma Railu, here are some more specifics.

Bangalore East Station

"Despite recent renovation, much remains to be done to make Bangalore East station passenger friendly. Notwithstanding regular use by the city’s eastern residents, the station, located on Pottery Road, falls short in the basic infrastructure department."

New daily 8 AM train from Tumkur to Bangalore

It looks like raining of new trains in Karnataka, courtesy Shri. Kharge.

Bengaluru Suburban Rail - Just a Few Miles more to start,says Citizen Matters

"...Reaching Tumkur, Ramanagar and other peripheral cities will be easy in future, when the Commuter Rail system becomes a reality. The project is expected to disperse the traffic inside the city as well as connect Bangalore with suburbs..."

Report of the Expert Group for Modernizaion of Indian Railways

3.4 Upgraded suburban coaches

6.6 Monetize Airspace above the platforms & rail tracks: a pilot project could be immediately

TV 9 / NEWS 9 - Panel Discussion on 'Bengaluru Suburban Rail Service' aka Namma Railu !

Video recording of the panel discussion hosted by TV 9 / News 9 on the subject of impelmenting 'Suburban Rail Service' in Bengaluru.

Courtesy - TV 9 / News 9

Implementing Suburban Rail - SPV Model!

Last Friday, News9 / TV9's aired a live 'Panel Discussion on Namma Railu' with Dr. Sitharam (CiSTUP), Smt. Sumithra Iyengar (BCIC), our friend Mr. Muralidhar Rao (Preseident - Praja-RAAG) and myself as a blogger on Namma Railu.

List of ROB's and RUB's within BBMP limits

List of major RUB's and ROB's  within BBMP limit : Total 141 identified by RITES 2012 report as part of Commuter Rail..  Out of that how many will come under BBMP limits ???  Also Volume of Traffic more then 50000 TVU's  are level crossing  : 55 Nos.

Suburban Rail - Notes from Meeting with Railway Minister, Aug 10, 2013

Posting on Behalf of Mr. Sudrashan Mantri, President, Professional Cell-KPCC

(Posted on Facebook)

Request for integrating YPR-ANEKL Passengers with Namma Metro at Baiyyappanahalli

The following trains run on this route

Suburban Rail - Plan for capacities lasting 50 years, says Abhijit Mehta!

Abhijit Mehta, an Urban Transport expert who has extensive familiarity with urban transport landscape in Mumbai including famous MRVC advises Bangalore Suburban Rail proposal to account for capacities that will serve for next 50 Years. Here are his words,

"...Good Morning Mr ........

Suburban Rail Portal - Inviting Suggestions!

Dear Prajagale,

I am sure, all of you must have seen an update from our friend Sanjeev on progress of Suburban Rail project. There is a likelihood that we could hear about the introduction of 1 or 2 services rolled out under this project proposal in next 2-3 months.

Chennai Suburban Rail : Paranur Station next to Mahindra World City where ITPL failed

Recently I was at Mahindra World City  which is 50 Kms from Chennai. As usual got interested in the Connectivity  from this place to Heart of  Chennai.

CRS could commence if Binny Mill land is given: Kharge

Railway Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge on Saturday urged the State government to hasten acquisition process of Binny Mill land abutting the City Railway Station so that the Railways can make a beginning with the Commuter Rail System (CRS) for Bangalore.

Petition & Suburban Rail Brochure in Kannada !

@ Kishore Chandra  - Thanks for your help in translating the documents to Kannada.

Dear Praja members,

Here is the draft of the petition in Kannada addressed to MLAs for their support to Suburban Rail Service. Also attached is the Brochure in Kannada that can be sent along with the petition.

Chikaballapur Station getting ready

Chikballapur station getting two Platforms part of Chikabbalpur - Kolar broad gauge conversion. SWR has failed to create on island PF with pit lines for the Suburban Rail and even to run intercity trains.

Call your area MP/MLA and 'Fast Track the Suburban Rail Project'!

 

Copy of Suburban Rail (aka CRS) proposal sent by GoK to Railways

Have uploaded the proposal letters sent by DULT/GoK to Railway Board and South Western Railways (SWR) on scribd. Embedding them here.

The covering letter

Karnataka seeks Railways’ nod for suburban network

The Karnataka government has asked the Ministry of Railways to not only approve a commuter rail system (CRS) for the city, but also be an active partner in Bangalore Suburban Railway Company Ltd.

Tumkur MP Shri. Basavaraj writes to PM, Railway Minister and CM for Suburban Rail Project!

As you all know recently the former Chief Secretary Shri. Ranganath had sent the formal propsoal on 'Bangalore Suburban Rail Service' to Railway Board. Subsequent to that progress by GOK, Tumkur MP Shri. G. S.

Workshop on Suburban Rail for Elected Representatives!

Yesterday, on Dec 10th, a workshop on 'Suburban Rail' for elected representatives was organzied jointly by Praja-RAAG, Bangalore Needs You and IIMB. This was an initiative by Prof. Rajeev Gowda to bring the awareness among the elected representative. This workshop was organized at Conference Hall in Vidhana Soudha.

Revenue model for Suburban Rail from other then travell tickets

Reserved Prices for 3 years :

Two cum four wheeler parking Bangarpet Railway station :Rs.69,28,981


Two wheeler Parking at Yelahanka Railway station : Rs.24,11,615

Two wheeler Parking at Doddaballapura Railway station :Rs.5,89,051

Meeting with Minister Shri. Ramlinga Reddy

(Posting on behalf of Murali Sir and Sandeep)

Praja team comprising of Muralidhar Rao, Sandeep Chandrakeerthi joined by Sandeep's father, Mr Chopra, and Mr Mukunda (from Bellandur RWA activist) today (Saturday Dec 21, 2013) met with GOK MInister for Transport Shri. Rnalinga Reddy.

Thank you Shri Rahman Khan's for taking up the Namma Railu with Shri. Kharge!

Pursuant to our campaign to reach out to elected representatives - MLAs, MPs and Ministers, I had written letters/petitions  to almost all of the Namma Railu Catchment area representatives. That included Union Ministers Veerappa Moily, Rahman Khan and Mr. Kharge.

Calcutta Suburban Rail services tracking

Calcutta Suburban Rail gets additional coaches from 9 to 12 which resulted in 33 % increase in the capacity.

Why is that Bngaloe SuburbanRail not getting  clearance from Railwa Board.

First MEMU Maintenance shed at Bangalore Railway Division, step towards Suburban Rail Services.

Proposed construction of maintenance shed for MEMUs at Banaswadi with provision of pit line (Inspection Bay)shed, CC Apron, shunting neck and other miscellaneous works.

Amount: 8.35 crores    Period : 6 Months

MRVC for Mumbai, When will Bangalore see the SPV and running of Suburban Rail Project

MRVC Chief made presentation in Urban Mobility during Dec'2012

http://www.urbanmobilityindia.in/Upload/Conference/920d5229-b4b9-4987-8836-0b131d50a014.pdf

Dear Railway Minister - It is time for implementation, NOT feasibility studies!

Suburban Rail Bangalore

Govt looks at rail infra to bridge City's transport gap

The State government is looking at ways of better uti

National Capital Region Transport Corporation Limited (NCRTC) for Delhi but what about Bangalore

Dt : 11th July'2013

Bangalore Suburban Rail station collections

Kengeri railway Station with four Platforms well developed, used by 10000 people daily.  Its 300 / 500  meters from Mysore road  but without connectivity by road.  Even simple elevated FOB from station to Mysore road will  make big difference : 

Looking towards Bangalore city side :

For Common people, Suburban Rail makes big difference after toll hike ???

Devanahalli farmers will be priced out

The vegetable growers of Devanahalli and surrounding villages, who are among the main suppliers of vegetables to the city, are a worried lot. The nearly four-fold increase in the toll has seriously disturbed their fragile economics.

Suburban Rail Progress - Railway Board & SWR Conversation

One of the interesting aspect of Indian Elections is that all the official machinery comes to halt. The Election Model Code serves as the perfect alibi for all the delays, even if they are not. Yes, for last 6 weeks the whole of India was engulfed in what everybody loved to love call "Dance of Democracy".

Will the new Railway Minister make Namma Railu a reality?

It is to Karnataka State's good fortune that once again it has landed with the Railway Ministry post. The Bangalore North MP, Shri. D. V. Sadanand Gowda has been given the charge of Railway Ministry in the new government. On behalf of Praja, I would like to congratulate the new government and Shri. Sadanand Gowda. We wish them very best.

Commuter Rail / Suburban Rail Survey

Online Petition for Immediate Implementation of Namma Railu Project

Dear Prajagale, Namaskara,

Bengaluru Suburban Rail - Quick Reference Documents

Here is the list of quick reference documents on 'Bengaluru Suburban Rail Service'.

Petition demanding Suburban Rail was submitted to new Railway Minister !

Many thanks to all those who signed the petition and supported the latest campaign demanding Suburban Rail Service. With help coming from as far as United Sates, Australia, Europe, Singapore and Middle East, the petition got about 2300+ on-line signatures and 3000+ hard copy signatures.

Bangalore stations where people getting into the crowded trains : Has SWR Brain, Ear, Eyes on this ???

Chamundi Express where people are forces to stand on both sides to get into the train as SWR is having peak time no trains running between 4:30PM to 6:30PM towards Mysore from Bangalore city station.

Tanisandra Railway Station ( Station Code : THSA ) which has been abandoned by SWR. WIll DVS reopen ???

Thanisandra Railway Station abandoned by SWR.  Requesting Railway Minister to reopen this halt station with reservation counter too.

Bangalore Suburban Railway Stations status, why Railway Officials and Railway Minister neglecting still ???

Looks Like Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda will not do much for Karnataka

Bangalore Commuter Rail / Suburban Rail Rakes Photos, Bangalore people should be proud of these

As we all know,  either Railways or State Govt has any interest to start the full fledge services of Subruban Rail.

As the time progressing,  Bangalore people are exploring more of Suburban Rail benefit then  the Railway Minister non willing to start the services.  With MEMU Maintenance shed coming up at Banasweadi,  now we have new DEMU Rake for Bangalore

Bangalore - Ramanagaram MEMU Services

MRTS-Bangalore Sub-urban Rail Corporation

There was a news the other day that the Karnataka State Government is showing keen interest in developing suburban network around Bangalore and proposed Indian Railways to be an active partner.

New Suburban Train Halt Stations - In PPP Model?

Railway’s inability to respond to emerging realities in meeting the suburban rail services have to be addressed. Bangalore City urgently needs multiple modes of mass transit system to address the demand for better public transport network catering to at least 60-70 % of its 10 Million populations.

Namma Railu Information Session at GCE, Ramanagaram!

Thanks to Dr. Mohammed Haneef, Principal, Ghousia College of Engineering (GCE), Ramangaram for hosting a information session on 'Namma Railu' project. The info session was organized yesterday , Mon Oct 20, 2014 at GCE's beautiful Conference Hall.

Prestige Shantiniketan Apartment Halt station near ITPL

Halt Railway station just 500 meters from ITPL will help thousands of IT folks to use Suburban Rail. Its high time Industry bodies,  IT companies and  Elected reps should come forward and get the halt station developed

Hebbala to Narayana Health City - Hosur road.

Dear Friends,

Hope this information has already passed or known to many of our group member would like to put it again to all newbees on this group.

Topic: Easy communting to Narayana Health city or Biocon from Hebbal and other North bangalore areas.

Trains:

Yesvanthapur - Hosur 

Bangalore City  - Karaikal.

Facilities:

Airport Halt station BIAL Devanahalli MoU Signed

Thanks to Chief Minister of GoK and  Ministry of state Railways for signing MoU for Airport Halt station

Thanks for full support from Cheif Sec / GoK, DRM Bangalore, MD / MIAL for making this happen

Station has come very well. It has taken nearly 14...

Airport Halt Station KIAL Devanhalli

Tentative Train Timings at Halt station 

We need few more services from City, Cant or Whitefield or Yesvanthpur to Devanhalli to help Airport Workers to make use of it.  Its arround 1.3 Kms from Airport 1st Circle and 400 Meter from NH-7 but access need to be improved

1.2 Kms...

Opening up of Airport Halt Station at KIAL Devanhalli

Start: 31 Jan 2020 19:42

Timezone: Asia/Calcutta

Finally Airport halt station beeing built by BIAL thanks to MD BIAL & DRM SWR

Now we have 4 services in each direction and  with further addition of few services as per Airport timings & peak fligh timings, it will be good start

New Halt stations

As we have seen 3 Halt station coming up  during last  5 Years in Bangalore : Hoody by MP PC MOhan, Krishandevaraya Halt station by Ananthkumar,  Airport Halt Station by BIAL Managment

We have seen how these are benifitiing people / commuters

On the same line we should get following...