Bengaluru: Minister of State (MoS) for Railways & Jal Shakti V Somanna on Sunday rode pillion on an electric bike and travelled in Namma Metro in Bengaluru to participate in official events responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to cut down on fuel consumption.He first travelled from MG Road metro station to Swami Vivekananda Metro station along with Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan and interacted with passengers. From Swami Vivekananda metro station onwards, he rode pillion on an EV to Sir M. Visvesvaraya Railway Station (SMVT, Bengaluru) to promote sustainable and eco-friendly mobility, he said in a post on X.“Let us all take a collective step towards conserving fuel by embracing and promoting the use of public transport wherever possible,” he said in his post, referring to PM Modi’s call.Also read | India’s next tech frontier may rise from Amaravati’s dusty plainsSomanna, who represents Tumakuru in the Lok Sabha, later participated in the flagging-off ceremony of the SMVT Bengaluru – Lokmanya Tilak terminal express by railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.“This rail service not only enhances direct connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra but also increases convenience, affordability, and accessibility for long-distance travel. Additionally, it boosts tourism and regional development,” Somanna said.The MoS thanked railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for sanctioning the new Bengaluru–Mumbai train and noted that Karnataka currently operated 12 pairs of Vande Bharat trains covering 14 districts. He added that a Vande Bharat Sleeper maintenance depot will be established at Thanisandra at a cost of Rs 270 crore, along with a chair car maintenance facility at SMVT Bengaluru costing Rs 52.73 crore. Doubling of Baiyappanahalli–Hosur (Rs 1,116 crore), Bettahalasuru–Rajanukunte (Rs 248 crore), and quadrupling works around Bengaluru (Rs 1,347 crore) are being undertaken to enhance capacity.Somanna said automatic signalling works are being implemented across key sections, including Yesvantpur, KSR Bengaluru, Lottegollahalli, Baiyappanahalli, Penukonda, Mysuru, and Jolarpettai, at a total cost of Rs 6,396 crore.Also read | One battle after another: Cannes showcases catastrophic consequences of warKarnataka has received a record railway budget allocation of Rs 7748 crore this year, Somanna said. Since 2014, about 3,840 km of railway lines have been developed and 3,742 km electrified, taking the state close to 100% electrification. The number of ROBs/RUBs has increased from about 150 before 2014 to 707 now, with 146 more to be completed within the next one year, and all level crossings targeted for elimination in the next three years, he added.