Bengaluru To Nandi Hills Train Service: Date Of Launch, Ticket Rate & Full Details

Bengalurains has now one more option to reach Nandi Hills without worrying much about getting stuck in traffic jams.

Well, the South Western Railway (SWR) has expanded the operation of Memu (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains on the airport route, extending the service from Devanahalli to Chikkaballapur starting December 11. This extension allows you to reach the base of Nandi Hills without worrying about getting stuck in traffic jams.

People can visit the popular hill place through three trains

• 06531/06532 Bengaluru Cantonment-Chikballapur-Cantonment,
• 06535/06538 Chikkaballapur-Bengaluru Cantonment-Chikkaballapur
• 06593/06594 Yeswantpur-Chikkaballapur-Yeswantpur.

Currently, the MEMU trains pass through the Kempegowda Airport halt station.

So, how much will it cost to travel from Bengaluru to the Nandi Hills station?

Well, just pay Rs 40 to travel to the Nandi Hills station. The starting points of these trains are Bengaluru Cantonment (Two trains -06531 and 06538) and one (06593) from Yeshwantpur.

Talking to The Times Of India, Additional Divisional Railway manager Kusuma Hariprasad said: "New train services to Chikkaballapur are expected to help regular commuters in a big way. MEMU trains provide comfortable travel and are economical for daily commuters."

It has to be noted that the KSRTC bus fare is Rs 70. In addition to it, there are BMTC AC buses between Bengaluru and Chikkaballapur.

However, the Bhoganandishwara temple is about 1.4 km away from Nandi Station, situated at the base of Nandi Hills. To reach the top of Nandi Hills, an additional distance of 15-18 km must be covered. The lack of public or general transport options (such as buses or autos) from the Nandi Halt train station to these locations hinders the practical utility of the station, whether for work or leisure, frequent visitors complain.

Talking to Money Control, a college student named Manju Nair said: "The proposed morning Memu train from the city reaching Nandi halt station at 6:37 am may be too late for those who want to enjoy the sunrise at Nandi hills."

However, she points out that this service will help those who visit the Isha Foundation to see the 112-ft Adiyogi bust in Chikkaballapur.

Notably, there are not any stops in stations such as Bettahalsoor, Doddajala, and Channasandra.

It may be recalled that the South Western Railway (SWR) was considering the introduction of a one-day tour package along the 108-year-old Bengaluru-Devanahalli-Chikkaballapur heritage rail route. SWR officials had revealed plans for a dedicated train tailored for this purpose.

The railway was strategically planning train schedules to enable tourists to experience the sunrise at Nandi Hills, explore Devanahalli Fort, visit the 112-ft Adiyogi bust at Chikkaballapur (Isha Foundation), explore theme-based heritage railway stations, and view the 108-ft Kempegowda statue at the airport, among other attractions.