Bengaluru Suburban Rail: 4 Stations On 25 Km Mallige Line Soon, Completion Within Next 24 Months

The construction of stations along the Mallige corridor of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project (BSRP) is set to commence soon. K-RIDE, a joint venture between the Karnataka government and the Ministry of Railways, has initiated tender invitations for building 12 stations across the Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara route in two phases.

Currently, the Earth Retaining Structure (ERS) wall shuttering work is underway along Corridor 2 of the BSRP, specifically between Chikkabanavara and Myadarahalli. Meanwhile, the construction of a 533-meter-long Air Force boundary wall has been successfully completed. Plans are in place to conduct a joint inspection for the handover of the completed boundary wall soon.

Phase one includes Benniganahalli, Baiyappanahalli, Kasturi Nagar, Sevashrama, Banaswadi, Nagawara, Kanakanagara, Hebbal, and Mathikere. Phase two focuses on Yeshwanthpur, Shettyhalli, Mydanahalli, and Chikkabanavara. Officials anticipate completing the project within 24 months.

An official stated, "The scope of work for the successful bidder encompasses designing station buildings, including entrance and exit points, foot overbridges, roof structures, and architectural finishes. The contractor will be responsible for station construction, covering civil works, electrical and mechanical systems, and signage."

Initially, tenders were called in 2023, but only one bidder participated, quoting Rs 800 crore, exceeding the estimated cost, leading to cancellation. K-RIDE aims to establish an efficient transportation system for Bengaluru.

Sources clarified that stations on the Mallige corridor will accommodate nine coaches. Design work is ongoing, with construction slated for completion by 2025. Despite delays due to late land handover and forest clearance, K-RIDE remains optimistic about meeting the 2025 deadline for commercial operations.

The Mallige corridor, spanning 25 kilometers with 12 stations, will connect suburbs to the central business district, enhancing Bengaluru's transportation infrastructure and reducing travel time.

Namma Metro plans to introduce platform screen doors (PSDs) for phase two to enhance safety. PSDs will serve as barriers between platforms and tracks, preventing unauthorized access and enhancing overall safety.

Civic activist Rajkumar Dugar expressed concerns about BSRP's slow progress, citing completion of only 61% of the project's 72 kilometers. He urged Bengaluru's representatives to expedite necessary clearances and monitor the project closely.

The project, sanctioned on October 21, 2020, aims for network completion by October 21, 2026, with current completion standing at 7% as of June 21, necessitating active review and facilitation by local officials.