Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project: K-RIDE Proposes 452 Km Extension To Kolara, Tumakuru, Mysuru, And More

Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company (K-RIDE) has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Railways seeking approval for a pre-feasibility study. The proposal aims to extend the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) by 452 km, connecting nearby cities and towns.

The Minister for Infrastructure Development announced on Monday that the new proposal includes plans to extend the BSRP network to Kolara, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Bangarapete, Hosuru, and Gauribidanuru. This extension, known as Phase-2, would cover a total length of 452 km.

The proposal outlines specific corridors for the extension. These include the stretch from Devanahalli to Kolara along Corridor 1 (107 km), Chikkabanavara to Tumkur via Dabaspete along Corridor 2 (55 km), Kengeri to Mysuru along Corridor 3 (125 km), Whitefield to Bangarpete along Corridor 3 (45 km), Heelalige to Hosuru along Corridor 4 (23 km), and Rajanukunte to Gauribidhanuru via Doddaballapura along Corridor 4 (52 km). Additionally, a new lane called 'Corridor 2A' is proposed from Chikkabanavara to Magadi (45 km).

The existing BSRP project plan comprises four corridors with a total length of 148.17 km. These corridors include KSR Bengaluru City to Devanahalli (Corridor 1 - 41.4 km), Baiyappanahalli to Chikkabanavara (Corridor 2 - 25.01 km), Kengeri to Whitefield (Corridor 3 - 25.01 km), and Heelalige to Rajanukunte (Corridor 4 - 46.25 km).

During the BSRP review meeting held in early June (06-06-23), Minister MB Patil advised the officials of K-RIDE to prepare a revised proposal that would extend the BSRP to include the mentioned places, according to the Economic Times report. The minister believed that this extension would benefit the people by providing hassle-free commutes and promoting industrial development in the region.

In seeking the approval of the Ministry, it was mentioned that the Commissioner of the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), the nodal authority for urban mobility initiatives in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Area, also recommended K-RIDE consider expanding the current BSRP network.

The Commissioner suggested extending the network from Heelalige to Chandapura, Kengeri to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda layout (BDA), Challaghatta, and even starting the process of preparing a Detailed Project Report for the extension of suburban rail to satellite towns.