Title - CRS could commence if Binny Mill land is given: Kharge

Railway Minister M. Mallikarjuna Kharge on Saturday urged the State government to hasten acquisition process of Binny Mill land abutting the City Railway Station so that the Railways can make a beginning with the Commuter Rail System (CRS) for Bangalore.Speaking after flagging off the Yeshwanthpur-Mangalore Weekly Express here, Mr. Kharge said the Railways has already parted with its land to facilitate construction of the Okalipura signal-free corridor. Now it is for the State to reciprocate and complete the process of exchange of land. The government has already issued the final acquisition notification and the formality of handing over it to the railways is remaining, he said.Citing Saint Kabir, who said whatever is to be done tomorrow is to be done today and what is to be done today should be done immediately, he asked the government to do the job immediately. The three-acre 16 gunta Binny Mill land could help the Railways to expand the City Station operations and introduce more trains besides catering to the requirement of the CRS, he said.Speaking earlier, Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who represents Gandhinagar constituency in which the City Railway Station falls, urged Mr. Kharge to upgrade the station to world-class standards. Bangalore is an international city and requires world-class station too, he said. Mr. Rao also urged Mr. Kharge to commence CRS in association with the State government.

Voicing the concern of railway colony residents, who are also his voters, Mr. Rao urged the Minister to get a sophisticated community hall constructed for the residents. The existing one is not in a good condition and a new one is required for family and social functions of the residents, the Minister said.