Allocation for Bengaluru suburban railway project cut by ₹100 crore in Union Budget

The Union Budget has cut the allocation for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP) by Rs 100 crore compared to last year.

The Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23 allocated Rs 350 crore for BSRP, down from last year’s allocation of Rs 450 crore.

The suburban rail project, which involves building a 148-km network across four corridors in the city, is estimated to cost ₹15,767 crore. Both the state and central governments will contribute 40% of the funds, while the balance will be secured through external borrowings. After overcoming several hurdles, the Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (KRIDE) has begun work on the Baiyappanahalli to Chikkabanavara corridor, which stretches for 25 km and will have 14 proposed stations.

Railway activists say the project, which had been incurring inordinate delays in implementation, got the much-needed boost, but the allocation could have been higher.

Rajkumar Dugar, convener of Citizens for Citizens (C4C), said Hindu“I believe this project needs more than just financial support; it needs strong support from the Ministry of Railways. Beyond financial resources, it is important for our public representatives to fully understand the various aspects of the BSRP and actively monitor and facilitate its progress. The project is facing several challenges, including the lack of active cooperation from South Western Railways. These issues need to be resolved urgently with the intervention of MPs.”

Meanwhile, KRIDE sources said the budget reflects the actual funding requirement. “KRIDE is actively working to secure the required funds for the project through external agencies,” said an official.

Congress MLA and Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy expressed disappointment at the Central government for not allocating any funds for Bengaluru in the Budget.

He said, “Despite having four BJP MPs in Bengaluru, they have not been able to bring any project for the city. Moreover, the central government has cut ₹100 crore from the suburban project. Bengaluru MPs should tell the people why they are unable to bring funds for the city.” Hindu,

On the other hand, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya said that the emphasis on urban development and infrastructure in the budget will greatly benefit Bengaluru.

He said, “The increasing focus on transforming our cities into world-class hubs through improvements in transportation, urban sanitation and solid waste management is a boon for Bengaluru. The ₹11 lakh crore investment in capital expenditure will fund key projects such as the Bengaluru Metro, Bengaluru Suburban Railway and other important developments for the city. At a time when India is rapidly urbanising, the government is prioritising the development of urban centres and locations to ensure they get the attention they deserve.”

CM is skeptical about Hyderabad-Bengaluru corridor

The Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor project was announced in the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23. The initiative is part of the industrial development plan for southern states under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014.

Reacting to the announcement, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed concern that the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor project would remain just a statement as the central government is yet to implement several projects announced in previous budgets.

“The central government has not provided any funding for the earlier projects so far. Given this, it is uncertain how and when they will fund the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, and it seems unlikely that the Centre will implement it.