Bengaluru To Get 287-Km-Long Circular Rail Network Worth Rs 23,000 Crore, DPR In Works

Minister of State for Railways, V Somanna, revealed that the 287-km-long Bengaluru circular railway network project is set to be implemented in Karnataka. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 23,000 crore, with a detailed project report (DPR) currently in preparation.

The circular rail network on the outskirts of the Karnataka capital is a move aimed at fortifying local train services, alleviating congestion in existing rail networks, and synergising with the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) and Namma Metro.

The Ministry of Railways has given the green light for the initial phase of the 287 km circular railway network in Bengaluru, touted as one of India's largest such networks.

According to officials from the South Western Railway (SWR), the final location survey is nearing completion, paving the way for the submission of the DPR to the Railway Board for approval, reports The New Indian Express.

The proposed network will connect key locations including Nidvanda, Doddaballapur, Devanahalli, Malur, Heelalige, Solur, and Nidvanda, significantly enhancing Bengaluru's rail capacity and easing bottlenecks.

SWR emphasises that the proposed circular rail network will not only enhance rail capacity but also provide efficient and cost-effective train services, complementing both the suburban rail network and the city's Metro rail system.

According to an SWR official, the network strategically connects significant town points like Devanahalli, in close proximity to Kempegowda International Airport, and Heelalige, situated near various industrial areas and satellite towns such as Doddaballapur and Hoskote.

The network aims to alleviate saturation on the existing rail network by operating Diesel-electric multiple unit or Mainline electric multiple unit (MEMU/DEMU) trains, thereby reducing the load on rail lines handling long-distance trains.

The circular rail network project comes at a crucial juncture when other major transit initiatives are underway in Bengaluru.

The Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (KRIDE) is implementing a 148 km suburban rail network, and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has ambitious plans to operationalise a 175 km Namma Metro network by 2025, expanding it to 314 km by 2040.

If successfully implemented, the SWR's circular rail network promises to be a game-changer, providing a seamless and efficient transportation solution for Bengaluru and its satellite towns.