Delhi-based 'Varindera Construction' Bags Contract For Bengaluru Cantonment Railway Station Redevelopment

The Bengaluru Cantonment Railway Station is undergoing extensive redevelopment. According to South Western Railway (SWR), the station redevelopment involves an expenditure of Rs 525 crore.

The station began operating in the 1860s and will be built in two stages. 

The project is being carried out under Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC) mode. Hence, a single agency is in charge of all aspects of the project's planning, procurement, and execution.

The contract was given to New Delhi-based Varindera Construction Pvt Ltd on 12 December of this year, with a 36-month completion window.

As part of Phase-1, work on remodelling the station yard has commenced at Rs 45 crore and will be completed by February 2023.  The remainder of the work is expected to be completed in three years.

The renovated yard will be linked to the tripled segment between Bengaluru Cantonment and Whitefield. The yard will also be linked to the suburban train network, allowing for seamless mass transportation.

Four extra platforms and three additional lines would be built which will allow more trains to run from/to this station, relieving pressure on the KSR Bengaluru station.

​​A footbridge will also be constructed to connect Borebank Road to Netaji Road.

The station building would be refurbished in the second phase at a cost of Rs 480 crore, transforming Bengaluru Cantonment into a world-class airport-like terminal, reports The New Indian Express.

As per the proposed redevelopment plan, a new station building will come up on the main entry — Vasanthnagar side, and the second entry — Millers Road.

Ticket issuing counters will be completely separated from the entrance concourse for easy flow of public and passengers. Separate pick-up and drop zones will be built to help reduce congestion. There will be a two-floor basement parking facility on both main and second entry points.

The project will also include a rainwater collecting system, an energy sewage treatment plant, and energy-saving measures to make the station buildings more environmentally friendly. According to the SWR press announcement, travellers with disabilities will have access to Braille Maps, ramps, lifts, and the subway.

The SWR will work with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to widen Cantonment Station Road as part of the project.

On 20 June 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the cornerstone for the station's renovation.

The redeveloped Cantonment Railway Station will emerge as a transport hub as three rail networks currently under construction will be integrated. Besides the existing rail network, Cantonment will have a suburban rail system and Namma Metro’s underground station nearby. 

The K-RIDE (Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Ltd.) is building the Kengeri-Whitefield suburban rail network via Cantonment.

Under the Namma metro phase 2, BMRCL is constructing a tunnel network from Dairy Circle to Nagawara, and the proposed Cantonment metro station is located 500-800 m from the existing rail station.