K-RIDE Reports On Bengaluru Suburban Rail Progress: New Corridors Set For December 2026 Launch

Union Minister of State for Railways, V. Somanna, announced on September 9 that two major segments of Bengaluru's suburban rail network-the 25 km Benniganahalli to Chikkabanavara line and the 46.8 km Heelalige to Rajanukunte line-are scheduled to become operational by December 2026.

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

Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-RIDE), the agency responsible for the BSRP, had initially committed to completing the Benniganahalli-Chikkabanavara (Mallige Line) section from Chikkabanavara to Yeshwantpur by the end of 2025. However, Somanna confirmed that both the Benniganahalli-Chikkabanavara and Heelalige-Rajanukunte corridors will be inaugurated by the December 2026 deadline.

"Efforts are underway to accelerate the work, ensuring both corridors are completed on schedule," Somanna stated. He also noted that discussions on the remaining two corridors will commence after these projects are finished.

Somanna and Patil highlighted the need to resolve land acquisition issues, with officials requesting an additional three months to address pending concerns. They emphasized avoiding further delays and maintaining strict adherence to deadlines.

Somanna urged improved coordination among agencies like Bengaluru Metro, K-RIDE, and South Western Railway, and suggested including officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in coordination meetings to prevent delays, according to reports from Indian Express.

Coach Procurement and Expansion Plans

During the meeting, M.B. Patil expressed concerns about a lack of bidders for coach supply tenders. In response, Somanna pledged to arrange a meeting with the Union Railways Minister to expedite the procurement process, aiming for completion six months before the suburban rail lines are set to launch.

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

The integration of the suburban rail project with Bengaluru's proposed 281 km ring rail project, estimated to cost Rs 23,000 crore, was also explored.

K-RIDE officials provided updates on the progress of the Mallige Line and the Heelalige-Rajanukunte (Kanaka Line). The Mallige Line has achieved 28% physical progress, while the Kanaka Line is still in the early stages, with only utility relocation work completed.

Looking ahead, the revised plan for the Sampige Line (KSR Bengaluru to Yelahanka-Devanahalli) is awaiting approval, with tender processes expected to start in October 2024. The procurement of rolling stock, a joint effort between the Karnataka government and the Ministry of Railways, is also pending approval.

Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP)

The commuter rail network will feature four corridors, 57 stations, and cover 148.17 km:

• Sampige (Corridor 1): KSR Bengaluru to Devanahalli (41 km), connecting Kempegowda International Airport
• Mallige (Corridor 2): Baiyappanahalli to Chikkabanavara (25.14 km)
• Parijatha (Corridor 3): Kengeri to Whitefield (35.52 km)
• Kanaka (Corridor 4): Heelalige to Rajankunte (46.24 km)