BANGALORE: Bangalore will have another train terminal at the Cantonment Railway Station, as the Yeshwantapur terminal will be saturated after the introduction of two trains to Mangalore once the gauge conversion work is complete.

Divisional Railway Manager of Bangalore Division Mahesh Kumar said that initially diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains will be operated from the Cantonment station.

The plan is to construct at least four platforms within a span of one-and-a-half-year to run 12 pairs of trains, he said. Sufficient space is available at the station to construct platforms, pits and passenger amenities, Mr. Kumar said.

While the Yeshwantapur terminal was made operational following saturation of the capacity of the City Railway Station (120 pairs of trains in a day), the former will also get saturated after the introduction of two pairs of Mangalore-bound trains (total 20 pairs of trains a day), Mr. Kumar said. "We would look at Byappanahalli once the Cantonment station too gets saturated," he remarked.

The Divisional Railway Manager recently held meeting with officials of the State Government for construction of road over bridges and road under bridges (ROBs/ RUBs) at 12 level crossings within Bangalore limits. The State Government and the railways have to equally share the cost, he said.

The proposal will be forwarded to the Central Government and provision will be made in the next budget, Mr. Kumar said.

New Shatabdi train

The new Shatabdi train service between Bangalore and Chennai will start by October 15, Mr. Kumar said. The service will leave Bangalore early in the morning and leave Chennai in the evening. The train will run opposite to the existing Shatabdi services between Chennai and Bangalore, he added.

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