Chikkabanavara-Baiyyappanahalli (Corridor-2, 25 km) and Heilalagi-Rajanukunte (Corridor-4, 46.88 km) sections of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project will be completed by December 2026, announced Union Minister V. Somanna on Monday (September 9).
The announcement was made during a joint press conference with Karnataka’s Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil at the Vidhana Soudha, following a progress review meeting of the K-Ride (Rail Infrastructure Development Company, Karnataka Ltd.) with senior officials.
Land acquisition to take three more months
During the meeting, officials requested an additional three months to resolve land acquisition issues, with a firm directive to avoid further delays thereafter. K-Ride is responsible for executing the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project.
Both ministers stressed that Corridors 2 and 4, part of the four projects inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be completed on schedule.
Lack of tenders for railway coach production
Minister Somanna also addressed concerns regarding delays in the K-Ride project due to a lack of tenders for railway coach production and supply. He committed to organising a meeting with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Delhi to address these issues.
Officials noted that railway carriages must be supplied at least six months before the completion of these corridors to ensure timely public access. Minister Patil also requested an extension of the suburban rail network to neighboring cities and towns. Somanna agreed to discuss this request with relevant officials.
Suburban network to connect with 281 km peripheral railway
Additionally, the feasibility of extending Corridor-1 directly from Devanahalli to Kolar, bypassing Chikkaballapura, was considered. The meeting also explored connecting the suburban network with the proposed 281 km peripheral railway project, which will be developed at a cost of Rs 21,000 crore.
South Western Railway General Manager Aravinda Srivastava, Namma Metro Managing Director Maheshwar Rao, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, K-Ride Managing Director N. Manjula, and other senior officers attended the meeting. Earlier, Somanna visited the Rail Wheel Factory in Yelahanka to review its operations and upcoming projects.