Centre Plans 271-Km Circular Railway In Bengaluru To Ease Traffic Woes, Link Suburban Rail And National Highways

To tackle Bengaluru’s chronic traffic congestion, the Centre is set to back a massive 271 km circular railway network as a long-term mobility solution.

Union Minister of State for Railways, V Somanna, announced the plan during a high-level review meeting held on Saturday (7 June), at the Kumara Krupa Guest House in Bengaluru, reported The Hindu.

“The ambitious project aims to connect the city’s peripheral regions while integrating with the upcoming suburban railway and National Highways, ensuring smooth travel for commuters and industries alike,” Somanna said.

The rail loop is designed to serve the infrastructure needs of the Bengaluru metropolitan region for the next 50 years.

The proposed route will cover three key corridors: Nidavanda–Doddaballapura–Devanahalli–Malur, Malur–Anekal–Hejjala, and Hejjala–Soluru–Nidavanda.

Around 2,500 acres of land will be required for the project, with the Central Government bearing the full cost.

The network is expected to boost connectivity for both passengers and freight, particularly between satellite towns and industrial nodes surrounding Bengaluru.

Officials say the circular rail will act as a critical link, supporting future growth while alleviating pressure on the city’s saturated core transit systems.

Once operational, the network is expected to reduce vehicular load on arterial roads and offer seamless transit options to peripheral regions.

Later in the day, Somanna also reviewed progress on other ongoing railway initiatives in Karnataka, including the Tumakuru–Rayadurga and Tumakuru–Davangere lines.

He took stock of key infrastructure works such as road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs), and pedestrian subways being built across the state by South Western Railway.

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