Bengaluru Suburban Rail: K-RIDE Invites Bids For Design And Construction Of 12 Stations In Mallige Corridor

Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (KRIDE) has invited bids from firms for designing and construction of 12 stations in the Mallige Line (Corridor 2) of Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project.

Out of the 12 stations, two will be elevated (Chikkabanavara and Mathikere), two will be developed as an elevated interchange (Benniganahalli and Yeshwantpur) and rest eight at-grade (Kasturi Nagar, Sevanagar, Banasawadi, Nagawara, Kanakanagar, Hebbal, Shettihalli, and Myadarahalli).

The scope of the work includes construction of steel foot-over-bridge (FOB), roof structures, entry, and exit structures, and Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) works for stations with all associated works along with detailed design and engineering for Architectural finishes and E&M Works. However, the work excludes the construction of Architectural finishes and E&M Works.

The 25.57 km long Mallige corridor will comprise of 13 stations -Baiyappanahalli, Kasturi Nagar, Sevanagar, Banaswadi, Kaveri Nagar, Nagawara, Kanakanagar, Hebbal,Yeswantpur, Jalahalli, Shettihalli, Myadarahalli and Chikkabanavara.

A plan to have a station at Lottegollahalli appears to have been shelved. Lottegollahalli will however have a station as part of the Sampige Line (Airport corridor).

Mallige Line (Corridor 2) is the project's first phase and is estimated to be completed in 2026. Corridor-2 is estimated to cost Rs 859.97 crore project. It is divided into two packages: Baiyyapanahalli-Lottegollahalli and Lottegollahalli-Chikkabanavar.

In August 2022, K-RIDE issued the work order to Larsen & Toubro for civil works on Mallige line(Corridor-2) with a 24-month deadline.

In January 2023, K-RIDE invited bids from firms to handle the design, manufacture, supply, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of rolling stock for the Suburban Rail Project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The tender will be awarded to bidders who meet the eligibility criteria to supply 306 coaches for project worth Rs 15,767-crore.

Earlier this month, K-RIDE said that it has received expression of interest from three bidders to supply coaches and rolling stock.

KRIDE, a joint venture of the Government of Karnataka and Ministry of Railways, is tasked with the implementation of a 148 km line suburban network in the city that will comprise of four corridors.

Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project

The commuter rail network will comprise four corridors, and 57 stations, and cover 148.17 km.

Corridor-1 (Sampige line) connects Kempegowda International Airport.

Corridor 3 (Parijatha Line) from Kengeri to Whitefield is the other line.

Corridor 4-Kanaka Line is from Heelalige to Rajankunte. There are 19 stations over its 46 km of total length.

It is being built at the cost of Rs 15,767 crore.

The implementing agency is seeking 800 million euros in loans to finance the suburban rail project.

The project was first proposed in 1983 by a southern railways expert team and was estimated to span 58 km. The proposal was included in Karnataka's first transportation survey, commissioned by then-chief minister R Gundu Rao.

On 20 June 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the suburban rail project in the city.

Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project will link Bengaluru to its satellite townships, suburbs, and surrounding rural areas through a rail-based rapid-transit system network.