Bengaluru: South Western Railway (SWR) has revised the completion timeline for the quadrupling of the rail corridor between Cantonment and Whitefield, setting a new deadline of March 2027. Initially sanctioned in 2018, the project has seen 75% of the work completed, according to SWR officials.
Project Overview and Cost Escalation
The 19-kilometer project, originally approved at an estimated cost of Rs 492 crore, is designed to decongest one of Bengaluru's busiest rail corridors, connecting the central business district with the IT hub of Whitefield. Key stations along the route include Bengaluru East, Byappanahalli, KR Pura, and Hoodi Halt. At the time of sanction, the railways anticipated that the upgraded line would benefit approximately 62,000 daily commuters. However, repeated delays have pushed the estimated cost to Rs 664.5 crore.
Progress and Pending Work
SWR officials confirmed that 25% of the work remains pending. The first phase, covering 5 kilometers from Cantonment to Byappanahalli West Cabin, has already been commissioned. The remaining 14-kilometer stretch from Byappanahalli to Whitefield is slated for completion by March 2027. Officials attributed the prolonged execution to multiple challenges inherent in urban rail projects, including the movement of heavy machinery and the shifting of utilities.
An official elaborated, "Remodelling of major yards at Byappanahalli, KR Pura, and Whitefield posed significant challenges. Additionally, constructing retaining walls to accommodate new lines has been difficult due to insufficient railway land."
Benefits and Future Plans
SWR Chief PRO Manjunath Kanamadi stated that once completed, the corridor will see improved mobility. Currently, an average of 47 up and 47 down trains operate daily between Bengaluru Cantonment and Byappanahalli, with 40 up and 40 down services between Byappanahalli and Whitefield. With the induction of an additional dedicated Memu rake, up to 14 more up and 14 down services can be introduced daily, excluding a three-hour corridor block. The average end-to-end travel time between Cantonment and Whitefield is estimated at 35 minutes, with a 10-minute turnaround for cab changes at either end. Plans are also in place to expand services towards Tumakuru, Hosur, and Kuppam railway stations, subject to demand. Maintenance infrastructure at Banaswadi railway station will need upgrading to support additional Memu rakes.
Station Redevelopment
Redevelopment at Whitefield railway station is nearing completion, with platform shelters, a new food plaza, parking for two- and four-wheelers, and landscaping already finished. A 12-meter-wide foot overbridge is currently under construction. At KR Pura railway station, facilities including vehicle parking, a VIP lounge, and pay-and-use toilets are complete. Shelters on Platform 4 and the third entry station building are under construction. A 12-meter-wide foot overbridge will be built after yard remodelling as part of the quadrupling project.
