Bengaluru: Boosting rail connectivity from Bengaluru to Arsikere, the railways Monday flagged off a Memu train. The inaugural special run of the train was flagged off by Union minister of state for railways V Somanna, from Tiptur railway station.South Western Railway (SWR) stated the service would greatly benefit daily commuters, students, employees, traders, pilgrims, and the general public by improving accessibility and mobility across the region.The Memu will commence operations from Tuesday, departing Yelahanka in north Bengaluru at 6.45am and arriving at Arsikere at 11am. In the return direction, it will depart Arsikere at 2.10pm and arrive at Yelahanka at 7.15pm. The train will stop at major stations such as Kodigehalli, Yeshwantpur, Chikkabanavara, Bhairanayakanahalli, Dodbele, Hirehali, Tumakuru, Mallasandra, Sampige Road, Tiptur, and Shri Sharada Nagar. It will have eight coaches and will operate on all days except Sunday.Somanna said Tiptur station is being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at a sanctioned cost of Rs 23.4 crore. The redevelopment works include extension of the station building, new platform shelters, a 12-metre-wide FOB with three lifts and two escalators, modernisation of waiting halls and toilets, improvement of circulating and parking areas, facade enhancement, landscaping, LED lighting, and advanced passenger information systems.
