Railway Ministry to Provide 2 More MEMU Passenger Services in Bengaluru by March 2018

Bengaluru: According to a statement from Indian Railways, it has been decided that, 15 pairs of short distance passenger trains which are presently running in, around and outside Bengaluru will be converted with 12 Car Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) extended rakes. Estimated cost of this conversion is Rs. 327.79 Crores.

Indian Railways will enhance the maintenance facilities installed for MEMU services at Banasawadi shed at an estimated cost of Rs. 29.45 Crores. Above two projects will be taken up on 80:20 cost sharing basis between Karnataka state government and Ministry of Railways. These projects will be implemented by Indian Railways.

The 15 pairs of trains are operating between KSR Bengaluru – Bangarapet/Marikuppam, Bengaluru – Jolarpettai, Bengaluru Cantt – Bangarapet, Bengaluru – Mysuru and Bengaluru – Hindupur.

The MEMU electric traction increases the passenger carrying capacity, results in better utilisation of line capacity, fuel efficiency with enhanced performance. The 15 short distance passenger trains are equivalent to 9 rakes. Out of the 15 approved, two MEMU rakes shall be provided during the current financial year and remaining 7 MEMU rakes shall be provided in 2018-19 from manufacturing units of Indian Railways.

The project of enhancement of maintenance facilities for MEMU services at Banasawadi will be taken up after approval of the work in supplementary budget, 2017-18 of Central Government.