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.

We called his office and provided Tumkur MP with all the information relating to Commuter Rail with copy of report. Finally we got an appointment at very short notice to meet him on 26th evening at His Office Tumkur.

Sathya and myself went to  Tumkur to meet him on 26th evening,  Naveen could't make it due to his other appointments. 

Both of us decided to visit the Tumkur Station before meeting Mr Basavaraj as his Office / House was very close to Tumkur Station.  This station is perfectly placed to provide Terminal for Commuter Rail with sufficient land available for expansion.

Both of us interacted with Mr Basavaraj team : Mr T R Raghothama,  Sheetal and Mr Ramesh.  Raghothama is retired DGM from KPTCL and  follows the actions in Praja related to Commuter Rail. He is well aware of the Commuter Rail proposal from Praja and also he is helping MP Mr Basavaraj on the developments required specifically related to Railways for Tumkur Dist.  

As the demands of MP for hourly train from  Tumkur  to Bangalore with electrification  is nothing but the Commuter Rail concept, which will benefit both Bangalore and Tumkur.  We explained to him about the Commuter Rail segments in detail and how Tumkur to Bangalore can take off soon if their MP makes effort at center with Railway Minister. 

Finally both of us  could able meet MP Mr Basavaraj at 6 PM.   We explained him about the Commuter Rail and status of the project.  He agreed to take up the issue at Center with Railway Minister before the Railway Budget.  It looks for us,  he can make the things move in positive direction further as he has done lot  efforts with SWR & Railway Board to move the projects related  to Tumkur and Bangalore. 

Specifically the Electrification between Tumkur to Yesvantpur project.  His office has followed the progress of the Track Electrification project with concerned SWR offices and now DPR has been  completed by SWR with RoR 12 to 15% and project has been sent to Railway board for approval with estimated budget of 56 crore.  This has really impressed us, how MP can make difference by  follow up with projects even Center is not taking much of interest for Karnataka projects. 

After discussion with his office staff,  it appears that  GoK has not written any letter to Railway Board or Railway Minister  except the correspondence with GM / SWR Hubli only. 

It was good meeting and worth going all the way to Tumkur 70 Kms and enjoyed the journey thru Elevated Access controleld Highway from Yesvantpur to Nelamangala,  tolled high way betwen Nelamangala to Tumkur  with Sathya's Honda city. Came back to Bangalore by 9:30PM with futher hopes.

We are very much Thankfull to Tumkur MP for giving an opporunity to meet him and explain the Commuter Rail.  Also for his promise to take up this project with Center.  Thankfull to his team Mr Raghothama, Mr Ramesh and Sheetal for arranging the meeting with MP and  working on Railway Demands

If any thing missed out,  request Sathya to update.

Sanjeev