The Railway Board has approved and moved the 16,000 Cr proposal for a fresh Suburban Rail system for Bengaluru and what did they announce?
"The proposal is likely to be soon placed before the cabinet "
One more announcement on the #BengaluruSuburbanRail Project!
Any news is good news! So, let's welcome this announcement as well! But let's take it with a pinch of salt.
We have had several announcements on Suburban Rail project since the 1980's, all mysteriously getting jinxed. So, let's pray and hope this one moves through soon, and more importantly, gets the funds allotted, and whatever it needs for its implementation such as a Special Purpose Vehicle, or tenders, or whatever, is concluded immediately.
Meanwhile, let us not fool ourselves into thinking that this project will give Bengaluru any relief in the near future. As we have seen with the Metro project, what was to be implemented in a few years, took more than a decade to launch its first line. Similarly, the Suburban Rail project is based on creating fresh infrastructure, which implies land acquisition, building of elevated sections, and new facilities. Which, translates into a long period for execution.
Don't expect any full fledged suburban network before a decade from now. So, what can be done to ensure that we get immediate relief?
1) Let us more than ever before, demand that the present infrastructure be put to local use, by improving efficiency, which is at an extreme low now. Please sign this petition and make sure a few lac people sign this: http://chng.it/j8DTssgGyx
2) The Suburban Rail Project report itself has had no public scrutiny, that makes it illegitimate! We need to demand a 'Public Consultation' on the project at the earliest. We need a project that has the approval of the people of Bengaluru and neighbouring districts, not a project that has the approval of politicians or bureaucrats, or forces that operate in the shadows.
Let's pitch in for transparency and responsibility. We need proactive and responsive governance. Let's demand it and get it! Let's move with the times!