NCRTC Proposes 4 Namo Bharat Trains To Link Mysuru, Tumakuru, Hoskote, Hosur With Bengaluru

The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which manages India's inaugural semi-high-speed Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), has put forward a proposal to introduce Namo Bharat corridors in Karnataka, according to Moneycontrol.

Four new rail corridors originating from Bengaluru have been proposed to enhance regional connectivity and tap into the economic potential of key satellite cities.

Photo Credit: PTI

As per documents obtained by Moneycontrol, the suggested corridors are: Bengaluru-Hoskote-Kolar (65 km), Bengaluru-Mysuru (145 km), Bengaluru-Tumakuru (60 km), and Bengaluru-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri (138 km, extending into Tamil Nadu), the report noted.

Namo Bharat trains are capable of speeds up to 160 kmph, covering 90 km in less than an hour. The initial corridor between Delhi and Meerut became partially operational in October 2023, with 55 km of the 82-km route currently in service.

In a letter to the Karnataka government, the NCRTC expressed its readiness to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for these or other corridors if commissioned by the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

"Our team can also visit Bengaluru to present the proposal to the Chief Secretary and stakeholders," the letter stated, as reported by the publication.

The proposal advocates adopting a funding model akin to that of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS: 60 per cent from multilateral agencies, 20 per cent from the Government of India, and 20 per cent from the relevant state government.

To enable Karnataka to evaluate the system directly, the NCRTC has invited state officials to visit the operational section between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram in the Delhi-NCR region. It has also offered support with initial documentation for the four proposed corridors.

The letter further highlighted that the RRTS model integrates global best practices, including all-weather operations, advanced signalling systems, and a dedicated viaduct/tunnel-based alignment.

"We believe Karnataka, with its strong GDP contribution, will benefit from fast and reliable commuting options like the Namo Bharat system," it added.