Some low cost/ out of box suggestions for Karnataka:
1. Explore Tiptur - Dudda link (25 Kms), which will avoid LR at ASK for HAS bound trains from TK side.
2. Explore providing a roundabout link at GDG to avoid LR from UBL side to SUR side. To join SUR side after passing GDG stn from UBL side.
3. Expedite HG by-pass construction....
more...
4. Explore Whitefield-Bellandur rly link (20 KMS), which will provide link from KJM/ WFD to Salem side (near Electronic city)
5. Explore linking BAND-YPR line to YPR-YNK line by constructing a small by-pass near Lottegollahalli underpass/ ring road. This will avoid trains entering YPR/ SBC for loco reversals. Trains from DMM/YNK side can run to HSRA/ DPJ side directly.
6. Expedite Harapanahalli - Hospet line. It should not become another useless line like HAS-MAJN line. Seems some technical problems, but should be sorted out immediately. Will be a vital link to north-south Karnataka. Huge investments are made and no returns so far.
7. Bypass line from BGM-MRJ line to PVR/SUR line. This will avoid LR at MRJ. With this, train from SUR side can directly run to BGM or Goa side. Though one can argue that it is with CR, BGM-MRJ is with SWR and used by Karnataka-Maharashtra pax. Hence, jointly can be done. An example of such bypass is at JTJ. SBC-JTJ is with SWR. JTJ-SA is with SR. Bypass is already there.
8. Explore linking Chikkaballapur to Madanapalli line, which will avoid trains entering KJM-YNK-DMM route. Trains from JTJ side (meaning Kerala/ CBE/MDU trains towards Guntakal side) towards DMM side can go directly.
New terminal constructions:
Terminal stations / pitlines etc., with allied infrastructure should be done at Udupi, Hassan, Shimoga, Ballari/ Hospet, Gulbarga to enable trains from these locations. Reasons for suggesting Hassan is to run from Hassan to North Karnataka. HMRDA is a big block for running trains towards Mangalore, hence, at least Hassan can be developed for devotees of Dharmasthala and Subrahmanya.