Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Major Railway Upgrades for Karnataka, Including Vande Bharat and High-Speed Rail
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled ambitious plans to revolutionize rail connectivity in Karnataka, featuring a new Vande Bharat Express and high-speed rail corridors. Speaking at the BJP state head office in Bengaluru on Saturday, Vaishnaw detailed initiatives aimed at enhancing travel efficiency and infrastructure across the state.
New Vande Bharat Express for Coastal Connectivity
Vaishnaw confirmed the introduction of a Vande Bharat Express that will connect Bengaluru to the coastal towns of Mangaluru and Karwar. This service is set to launch once electrification work on the Hassan-Mangaluru section is completed and safety certifications are secured. The minister emphasized that this move is part of a broader strategy to integrate the entire state into the Vande Bharat network, with 12 pairs of these trains already operational in Karnataka.
Record-Breaking Railway Budget Allocation
Highlighting the government's commitment, Vaishnaw announced a record-breaking railway budget of Rs 7,748 crore for Karnataka. This allocation is nine times the average budget seen during the 2009-2014 period, underscoring a significant boost in investment for rail infrastructure. He assured that this funding will support various projects, including the new Vande Bharat services and electrification efforts.
High-Speed Rail Projects to Chennai and Hyderabad
In a major development, Vaishnaw revealed that two high-speed rail projects have been approved: one connecting Bengaluru to Chennai and another linking Bengaluru to Hyderabad. The Bengaluru-Chennai route is expected to reduce travel time to just 73 minutes, while the Bengaluru-Hyderabad journey will take approximately 2 hours. These projects aim to transform inter-city travel, offering faster and more efficient connections.
Additional Rail Initiatives and Promises
Vaishnaw also announced plans for a premium train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai, along with consideration for a Pune-Bengaluru rail corridor. Reiterating the government's track record, he stated, "This is my promise to you, and just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji's government has consistently fulfilled its commitments, this promise will also be kept."
Launch of Qualcomm 2 nm Semiconductor Chip
During the same event, Vaishnaw launched the Qualcomm 2 nm semiconductor chip in Bengaluru, highlighting India's progress in semiconductor technology. He noted that the initiative began with 28 nanometre chips to cover 75% of needs in sectors like automotive and telecom. Since 2022, 315 universities have adopted electronic design automation tools, enabling students from remote institutions to design and validate chips, fostering innovation in the tech sector.
These announcements mark a significant step forward in Karnataka's transportation and technological landscape, with Vaishnaw's plans poised to enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, and boost economic growth through improved infrastructure and advanced semiconductor development.
