2026 Deadline Set for Key Bengaluru Suburban Railway Projects!

Union Minister V Somanna has announced that the Chikkabanavara-Baiyyappanahalli and Heilalagi-Rajanukunte corridors, part of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, will be completed by December 2026. The announcement follows a progress review meeting with state and project officials, emphasizing timely land acquisition and infrastructure development.

Union Minister V Somanna announced on Monday that the Chikkabanavara-Baiyyappanahalli (Corridor-2, 25 km) and Heilalagi-Rajanukunte (Corridor-4, 46.88 km) segments of the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project will be completed by December 2026.

This announcement was made during a joint press conference with Karnataka's Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil in the Vidhana Soudha committee room, following a progress review meeting involving senior K-Ride officials.

K-Ride is spearheading the ambitious suburban railway project, and officials have sought a three-month extension to resolve land acquisition issues. The ministers have stressed that no further delays will be tolerated beyond this period.

These two corridors are part of the four projects inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Upon their completion, discussions will commence on the implementation of the remaining two corridors, according to Somanna.

Minister Patil also urged for the expansion of the suburban rail network to include neighboring towns and cities. Somanna assured that he would hold necessary meetings with relevant officials to explore this possibility.

Additionally, the possibility of extending Corridor-1 directly to Kolar from Devanahalli was discussed.

The meeting also involved talks on integrating the suburban network with a proposed 281 km peripheral railway project, estimated to cost Rs 21,000 crore.

South Western Railway General Manager Aravinda Srivastava, Namma Metro Managing Director Maheshwar Rao, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, and other senior officers attended the meeting.

Earlier in the day, Somanna visited the Rail Wheel Factory in Yelahanka to review ongoing projects and operational performance.

(With inputs from agencies.)