The Karnataka government has finalised the tender for the civil works to develop the Baiyyapanahalli-Chikkabanavara stretch, one of the four proposed corridors in the Bengaluru Suburban Railway project, at the cost of Rs 8.59 billion, Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister V Somanna told the Legislative Council this week.

Responding to a question, he said that the 25-km stretch will be completed in 27 months and the second tender in the same corridor for electrification and construction of railway station will be called soon. “Of the 25 km, as much as 8 km will be elevated and the rest runs on the ground. Some 85% of the land required for the project has been acquired, and the government is in the process of acquiring the remaining six acres,” the Minister said.

Somanna said that the state has so far spent Rs 1.20 billion for preparatory work for the 148 -km suburban railway project, and the tendering process for the other sections will be done soon. “Once completed, it is estimated that about 10 lakh people will commute in the train daily.”

When the suggestion to name the project after the late Union Minister H N Ananth Kumar came up, Somanna said that it would be discussed with the Chief Minister, and the cabinet has to approve it. Besides, the railways have to agree to the proposal, he added.

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