Union Minister announces plans to connect Mysore and Tumkur

07 Oct 2024 CW Team

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during his visit to Bengaluru to inspect the redevelopment of the Bengaluru Cantonment railway station, disclosed plans to launch the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, which will connect Bengaluru, Mysore, and Tumkur, as reported by *The Indian Express*. He stated that this rapid rail service would be “perfect” for linking Bengaluru and Mysore, which are 135 km apart, as well as Bengaluru and Tumkur, located 70 km from each other. He noted that operating rapid rail services between cities up to 200 km apart is an ideal option for ensuring frequent and efficient transportation.

The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is designed as a short-distance intercity rail service to connect major cities within a range of 100 to 250 kilometers. Currently, the semi-high-speed rail network operates between Ghaziabad, Meerut, Ahmedabad, and Bhuj. Vaishnaw remarked that Bengaluru serves as a magnet, attracting people from Mysore and Tumkur, and he highlighted the success of the rapid rail concept implemented between Delhi and Meerut, as well as Ahmedabad and Bhuj.

He further explained that the initial plan involves operating the first few trains between these cities for about a year before starting large-scale production to expand services to additional cities. Vaishnaw cited the Delhi-Meerut RRTS, which covers approximately 82 km in about 60 minutes, with trains reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h. This high-speed connectivity considerably reduces travel time compared to conventional trains, and the system is designed to operate frequently, with trains running every 15 minutes on weekdays.

Real Estate

17 Sep 2025

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..

Govt Plans Six-Month Import Relief for E-Bus, Truck Makers

The government is considering a six-month relaxation for electric bus and truck manufacturers, allowing them to import fully assembled motors containing heavy rare earth materials without losing eligibility for incentives under the Rs 109-billion PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-Drive) scheme.The relief is expected to benefit companies such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, PMI Electro Mobility, JBM Auto, EKA Mobility, Olectra Greentech, Propel, and IPLT Demo. The exemption will apply provided all other localisation requirements are met.However, officials clari..