Bengaluru, DHNS: Rlys considering semi-high-speed trains on 2 routes: Suresh Prabhu. The railways is exploring the possibility of running semi-high-speed trains on Bengaluru-Mysuru and Bengaluru-Hubballi routes, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said here on Sunday.

He was speaking at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for track-doubling projects between Yelahanka and Penukonda, Arsikere and Tumakuru, and Hubballi and Chikkajajur at a cost of Rs 2,578 crore.

The railways also intends to set up a joint-venture company with the Karnataka government within three months for speedy implementation of railway projects in the state. Prabhu said investment in railway projects in the state would be increased once the joint venture company became operational. The company will help plan new infrastructure projects and improve the existing ones, he added.

Tourist hubsAn ongoing survey of new railway tracks to connect tourist hubs such as Hassan, Sringeri, Halebidu and Shivamogga will be completed soon, he said.

The railway minister declared that his ministry would keep its promise on starting a suburban train service in Bengaluru. “We have already discussed the matter with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu. We will definitely keep our promise,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Siddaramaiah said there was no dearth of funds for railway projects in Karnataka and the government was ready to provide land.

Drawing the railway minister’s attention to Karnataka’s poor railway network, the chief minister urged him to prioritise sanctioning new railway lines in the state. Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda urged the chief minister to allot land for the railway track between Bengaluru and Hassan.

Bengaluru station gets official name change Bengaluru City railway station was on Sunday officially named after freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna, the 19th-century army chief of the Kingdom of Kittur ruled by Rani Channamma. Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar urged Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to ensure the full name, Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna, is printed on train tickets instead of just KSR. He also urged the railways to print booklets on Rayanna and distribute them free to passengers. He also sought a giant statue of the freedom fighter in front of the station.