Standing Committee on Railways reviews SWR projects

Bangalore, July 5 (UNI) The Standing Committee of Parliament on Railways would recommend for the expeditious completion of the Bangalore-Mysore doubling and Electrification of lines, Committee Chairman Basudeb Acharya said here today.

Speaking after reviewing the performance of the South-Western Railways (SWR) here today he informed newspersons that since its inception the SWR had recorded very good growth in all aspects, including handling of goods and passenger trains and earnings. To sustain the growth there was a need to expedite the doubling work of Bangalore-Mysore railway line and also its electrification, he added.

Mr Acharya also informed that the Operating ratio of the SWR was about 74 per cen, which was lower than the national average, which stood at 79 per cent. During the review it was also revealed that the SWR was facing severe shortage of staff, that too, at the safety related sections.

He said the Committee would recommend the Railway authorities not to reduce the staff, especially in the safety=related categories and fill the existing vacancies.

Replying to a question Mr Acharya said the Committee would take up the matter with the Railway authorities about the inordinate delay in reintroducing passenger trains between Bangalore and Mangalore.

The other members of the Parliament Railway Standing Committee included, C H Vijayashankar, Ramdas Athwale and Lalsingh. The Committee also visited the Mysore Division of the SWR and reviewed the performance.

UNI