Title - Bangalore will have to wait for new trains

The railways has put the introduction of the much hyped Bangalore - Chennai double decker train, Bangalore - Nelamangala - Bangalore passenger train and Yeshwantpur - Kochuveli Express, which were announced in the budget, on hold after the code of conduct came in to force in the state.

The Bangalore - Chennai double decker train was supposed to be introduced by March 31.

It was touted to be the first double decker train to be introduced in South India.

The railways has already conducted two trial runs on the route and has prepared the timetable for its operations.

The railway officials are planning to seek the Deputy Election Commissioner’s approval to introduce the train as soon as the railway board approves it by notifying the train.

Despite a lot of public demand, the railways was unable to introduce the Bangalore - Nelamangala - Bangalore passenger train though it was announced in 2010-11 budget as the railway line was not ready for passenger traffic. As the Commissioner of Rail Safety had cleared the railway line the railways was planning to introduce the train.

The railways had also procured a new rake with 16 coaches from Kapurthala for introducing Yeshwantpur - Kochuveli Express, which was announced in 2012-13 budget.

However, the railways has requested the election commission to permit them to introduce these trains as these trains were already announced in the budget and Yeshwantpur - Kochuveli Express alone could have helped the railways generate revenue up to `8,19,056 per trip.

According to the sources, the transportation branch of the South Western Railways has written a letter to the Election Commissioner in this regard.

As the Election Commission had allowed the railways to extend Bangalore - Bangarpet Memu rake to Marikuppam during the Panchayat  elections, the railway officials are confident of getting the its approval for introducing these trains.