Bengaluru's Traffic Solution On Track: Two Key Suburban Rail Corridors Slated For 2026 Completion

Union Minister of State for Railways, V Somanna, announced on 9 September that two key corridors of Bengaluru’s suburban rail network — Benniganahalli to Chikkabanavara (25 km) and Heelalige to Rajanukunte (46.8 km) — will be operational by December 2026.

Somanna, along with Karnataka’s Minister for Commerce and Industries and Infrastructure, M B Patil, reviewed the progress of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) and other railway projects in the state during a meeting held on the same day.

Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-RIDE), the special purpose vehicle executing the BSRP, had earlier committed to completing the priority section of the Benniganahalli-Chikkabanavara (Mallige Line) from Chikkabanavara to Yeshwantpur by the end of 2025. Somanna, however, assured that the entire Benniganahalli-Chikkabanavara and Heelalige-Rajanukunte corridors would be inaugurated by the December 2026 deadline.

"Steps have been taken to expedite the work, and both corridors will be completed on time," Somanna stated, adding that discussions on implementing the remaining two corridors would follow the completion of these projects.

Somanna and Patil emphasised the importance of resolving land acquisition issues, with officials requesting three additional months to address outstanding concerns. Both ministers stressed that further delays should be avoided, with strict instructions to maintain deadlines.

Somanna called for improved coordination between various agencies, including Bengaluru Metro, K-RIDE, and South Western Railway, urging them to complement each other's efforts in expanding transport coverage across the city. He also recommended including officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in coordination meetings to prevent unnecessary delays, reports Indian Express.

Coach Procurement And Expansion Plans

During the meeting, M B Patil raised concerns about the lack of bidders for tenders related to coach supplies. In response, Somanna promised to arrange a meeting with the Union Railways Minister to expedite the procurement process, which should be completed six months before the scheduled launch of the suburban rail lines.

Patil also highlighted the potential expansion of the suburban railway system to nearby cities such as Tumakuru, Mysuru, Magadi, Gauribidanur and Kolar. The possibility of extending the KSR Bengaluru City-Yelahanka-Devanahalli corridor to Kolar was also discussed.

The meeting explored the integration of the suburban rail project with Bengaluru’s proposed ring rail, a 281 km circular railway project estimated to cost Rs 23,000 crore.

K-RIDE officials provided updates on the progress of the Mallige Line and the Heelalige-Rajanukunte (Kanaka Line), both awarded to Larsen & Toubro (L&T). While the Mallige Line has achieved 28 per cent physical progress, the Kanaka Line is still in the early stages, with only utility shifting work underway.

Looking ahead, the Sampige Line (KSR Bengaluru to Yelahanka–Devanahalli) has seen a revised plan submitted for approval, with tender processes set to begin in October 2024. The procurement of rolling stock, a joint cost-sharing effort between the government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Railways, is awaiting approval.

Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP)

The commuter rail network will comprise four corridors, 57 stations, and cover 148.17 km.

Sampige (Corridor 1): KSR Bengaluru-Devanahalli (41 km) connecting Kempegowda International Airport

Mallige (Corridor 2): Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara (25.14 km)

Parijatha (Corridor 3): Kengeri to Whitefield (35.52 km)

Kanaka (Corridor 4): Heelalige-Rajankunte (46.24 km)

Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project will link Bengaluru to its satellite townships, suburbs, and surrounding rural areas through a rail-based rapid-transit system network.

On 20 June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the suburban rail project in the city. 

Once completed, the BSRP is expected to carry 9.84 lakh passengers daily, significantly easing Bengaluru’s traffic congestion and improving connectivity to its suburbs and satellite townships.