MUMBAI-STYLE TRAINS FOR CITY

MUMBAI-STYLE TRAINS FOR CITY
Even as Namma Metro is going full steam, Southern Western Railways plans to offer electric train service to various areas in and around the city
ATUL CHATURVEDI & SAMEER RANJAN BAKSHI


Bangaloreans could soon board a local train, a la Mumbaikar, to commute in the city. The Railways plans to introduce Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train services like those in Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai. South Western Railways (SWR), Bangalore division plans to run the MEMU train services in and around the city. “If everything goes on the right track, then by 2011 Bangaloreans may get the local train service. The proposal is now pending before the Railway Board.
Before starting the MEMU service, SWR wants to complete electrification of all the existing railway networks in the city. SWR has completed electrification of 33 km of tracks from Yeshwanthpur to Yelahanka via Lottegollahalli, Yelahanka to Channasandra and Yeshwanthpur to Byyappanahalli.
The 5-km stretch between Bangalore city and Yeshwanthpur is on and will be completed within two months.
An official said, “We have prepared a proposal which will soon be sent to the Railway Board for approval. As per the proposal, MEMU service would be available from Kengeri to Bangalore City, Malleswaram, Yeshwanthpur, Lottegollahalli, Yelahanka, Thanisandra, Channasandra, Krishnarajapuram, Hebbal, Banasawadi and Byappanahalli.
SWR General Manager Kuldeep Chaturvedi told Bangalore Mirror, “After completing electrification of the Yeshwanthpur track, trains going towards Jolarpet would not have to stop at Byappanahalli to change diesel engines into electric ones, and can save on time.” T R A C K A N D F I E L D
HYDERABAD
The Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) is a succesful model in this city. Flagged off on Aug 9, 2003, it currently runs 84 services a day, covering 27 stations and connecting Secunderabad, Falaknuma and Lingampally over the existing railway network.Around 65,000 to 70,000 commuters use MMTS every day.There are first class, general class and special ladies compartments.
MUMBAI
The suburban railway system in the island city is one of the most complex, densely loaded and intensively utilised in the world. It has the highest passenger density in the world with 6.3 million commuters commuting every day.Two zonal railways - Western Railway (WR) and Central Railway (CR) - operate the Mumbai suburban railway system which has spread over 319 route km.The suburban services are run by Electric Multiple Units.
KOLKATA
Kolkata and its neighbouring districts have an extensive suburban railway system. Most of the trains are EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) stretching into the districts of North 24 Paraganas, South 24 Paraganas, Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly, Bardhaman, Purba Medinipur and Paschim Medinipur.
CHENNAI
Thousands travel in Chennai suburban railway everyday which uses Electrical Multiple Units (EMU) operating on Alternating Current (AC) drawn from overhead cables.
A TRAIN EVERY 30 MINUTES
Unlike the Mumbai suburban trains which are available every five minutes, the frequency of Bangalore trains could be 30-45 minutes to start with. If found successful, the frequency may be increased. If the Railway Board approves, the suburban trains may debut in 2011, before the fullfledged operation of Namma Metro service. The fares in these MEMU trains are likely to be cheaper than in BMTC buses. “For example, the local train fare between Bangalore City and Malleswaram stations is Rs 2, while the suburban train fare would be nearer to this.”