No Maglev Link To Bengaluru Airport, Authorities To Focus On Metro And Sub-Urban Rail Instead

The Karnataka government has decided to shelve its plans for an ambitious Ultra High-Speed Maglev Rail link between city’s Cubbon Park and Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) and will now focus on linking the airport with metro and sub-urban rail line instead.

As reported by Deccan Herald, the Bengaluru Metro department will now handle the project to enhance connectivity to the airport.

“We are handing over the project to the BMRCL and will transfer the responsibility of BARL as well. The high-speed rail project will be shelved. Instead, we are focusing on connecting the airport under the suburban rail project,” said Mahendra Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department said.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had earlier issued a tender for a metro line between Nagavara and KIA with the state government having approved the Rs 5,950-crore project last year.

The government is also looking at sub-urban railway to ease the airport commute. Speaking of the Devanahalli railway line that is located next to the airport, Jain said, “We have held discussions with railway officials on doubling and electrification of the line. We can have upgraded railway lines to support a superfast train.”

The report quotes a source saying that the government will push for the sub-urban option too as it is cheaper than the Metro. Regular commuters can get monthly passes for travel on the sub-urban railway route.

The Bangalore Airport Rail Link (BARL) Limited, however, will be dissolved as all its projects have since been taken up by the BMRCL.