Admin approval for Blr suburban rail project initial phase

The Karnataka government today gave administrative approval for implementation of Bangalore Suburban Rail project's initial phase, worth Rs 1,745 crore, under equity sharing model between the state government and Indian Railways, by using a Special Purpose Vehicle.
Karnataka government agreed to make an initial equity payment of Rs 349 crore in two years (2018-19, 2019-20) to begin the work under phase 1(A) of the three phased project, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said
Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting here, he said the proposal included 58 trains, each with a capacity to carry 1,800 to 2,000 people, 160 services, covering a total distance of about 440 km.

"This was a long pending issue.. after a series of meetings it has been finalised now," he said.
Giving details of the financial implications, he said of the approximate requirement for the project (phase 1(A), which is about Rs 1,745 crore, the Railway Ministry and Karnataka Government share 20 per cent each of the total cost.
The project is proposed to be completed in three years, he said.

"The allocation of Rs 349 crore for equity in 2018-19, 2019-20 has to be made by government of Karnataka, the balance project cost will be raised by SPV from time to time..."

Among other decisions the cabinet took today were approval to extend the term of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted in the Karnataka Lokayukta for investigation of illegal mining cases.
"The term was about to end, it has been decided to extend from 24-01-2018 for one year," he said, adding that the 76 cases closed by CBI after preliminary enquiry has also been transferred to SIT for further investigation, apart from the cases that it was already handling.
Also approved was grant of 250 acre of land at Sulebhavi village in Belagavi district to the Indian Air Force to establish a Radar unit free of cost.

A decision was also taken to upgrade the traffic signal system in Bengaluru with the help of new Adaptive traffic control system.
The upgradation also includes installation of synchronized pedestrian lights and other street amenities.