Karnataka Minister Advocates High-Speed Rail Corridor

Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Thursday expressed strong support for the Bengaluru-Pune-Mumbai high-speed rail corridor initiative. He praised Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and H D Kumaraswamy for discussing the proposal, emphasizing the need to prioritize regional connectivity and economic growth over political differences.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries, Patil, who raised the corridor's necessity right after the union budget presentation, stated, "There is no politics in this. It should not remain a mere discussion." He conveyed the potential benefits of improved rail connectivity linking Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai, which include significant growth opportunities for parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Patil highlighted the center's plans for seven high-speed rail corridors but pointed out the unique advantages the Bengaluru-Pune-Mumbai route could offer. Addressing concerns over politicization, he confirmed letters have been dispatched to the Prime Minister and other key ministries to ensure the project's timely implementation.