Suburban Railway: Nod sought for phase 2 to add an additional 452 km

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited KRIDE has prepared a new proposal to extend the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) to nearby cities/towns and has sought the approval of the Ministry of Railways to conduct the pre-feasibility study for 452 km.

Minister for Infrastructure Development MB Patil said on Monday that the new proposal puts forth a plan to extend the BSRP network to Kolar, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Bangarpet, Hosur and Gauribidanur.

As per the proposal, the extension would be considered as Phase-2 and the total length is 452 km.The plan proposes extending the facility from Devanahalli to Kolar along Corridor 1 (107 km), Chikkabanavara to Tumakuru via Dobbespet along Corridor 2 (55 km), Kengeri to Mysuru along Corridor 3 (125 km), Whitefield to Bangarpet along Corridor 3 (45 km), Heelalige to Hosur along Corridor 4 (23 km) and Rajanukunte to Gauribidhanur via Doddaballapura along Corridor 4 (52 km). Besides, it proposes a new lane ‘Corridor 2A’ from Chikkabanavara to Magadi (45 km).

The existing project of BSRP has 4 corridors covering a length of 148.17 km. It comprises 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).

Patil had advised the officials of K-RIDE during the previous BSRP review meeting to prepare a revised proposal to extend the BSRP to include the above-mentioned places.

This would facilitate hassle-free commutes for people and enable industrial development in the region.

While seeking the approval of the Ministry, it has been mentioned that the Commissioner, DULT (the nodal authority to regulate and coordinate urban mobility initiatives in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Area) had also suggested that K-RIDE consider extending the BSRP network from Heelalige to Chandapura, Kengeri to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda layout (BDA), Challaghatta and further suggested starting the process of preparing the DPR for the extension of suburban rail to satellite towns.