Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project Gets Push, Land for Corridor-1 Depot Near Devanahalli Airport Gets Nod

The long-pending Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), approved in 2020 and spanning 149.348 km as a commuter rail network, has finally inched forward, with the Karnataka government clearing land acquisition for a key depot near Devanahalli. The move is expected to speed up work on the crucial Sampige Line, a corridor that will connect the city centre to the airport belt and is seen as a major solution to Bengaluru's growing traffic pressure.

Land identified across five villages

The depot is planned as part of Corridor-1, which will link Majestic to Devanahalli via Yelahanka. This stretch has been one of the most talked-about routes under the project because of its direct airport connectivity.

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has issued a preliminary notification to acquire around 31,000 square metres of land spread across five villages. Of this, Akkupete accounts for the largest share at about 14,000 sqm, followed by 7,340 sqm in Sanna Amanikere, 6,969 sqm in Hireamanikere, 1,504 sqm in Upparahalli and 1,100 sqm in Devanahalli.

Nearly 50 properties fall within the notified area. Most of them are privately owned, while a few belong to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the state government.

Restrictions in place, compensation assured

With the notification in place, KIADB has imposed restrictions on the identified land parcels. Property owners cannot sell, lease or transfer the land without approval from the designated authority. Construction activity has also been restricted for now, and landowners have been directed not to obstruct officials during the process.

Compensation will be provided as per the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013 along with provisions under the KIADB Act. A parallel notification has also classified the land for industrial use, which is required for setting up the depot.

Depot to be built at Akkupete

The main depot facility will come up at Akkupete and will be used for stabling and maintenance of suburban trains. The project is being implemented by K-RIDE, which has been tasked with executing the suburban rail network.

Officials said the total land requirement for the depot is around 31 acres. This includes about 26 acres of cleared forest land and 5 acres of government land, along with additional land required for access.

The suburban rail project has faced multiple delays over the years, largely due to land acquisition challenges and coordination issues. The latest approval is being seen as a key step in pushing the project forward.

Once operational, the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project is expected to ease congestion, cut travel time, and offer a reliable alternative for daily commuters. The Majestic to Devanahalli line, in particular, is likely to play a major role in improving airport connectivity and reducing dependence on road travel.