BENGALURU
The long-pending rail quadrupling project between Bengaluru Cantonment and Whitefield has been delayed once again, with South Western Railway revising the completion deadline to March 2027.
The 19-km corridor project, sanctioned in 2018 at an estimated cost of Rs 492 crore, was aimed at easing congestion along one of Bengaluru’s busiest suburban rail stretches connecting the central business district with the IT hub of Whitefield. However, repeated delays have pushed the revised project cost to nearly Rs 664.5 crore.
Railway officials said around 75 percent of the work has been completed so far. The first phase between Cantonment and Byappanahalli West Cabin, covering nearly 5 km, has already been commissioned.
The remaining 14-km stretch from Byappanahalli to Whitefield is expected to be completed by March 2027.
The corridor includes major railway stations such as Bengaluru East railway station, Byappanahalli railway station, KR Pura railway station and Hoodi Halt railway station. At the time of approval, the Railways had estimated the project would benefit nearly 62,000 daily commuters.
Officials cited multiple challenges for the delay, including utility shifting, restricted movement of heavy machinery within city limits and extensive yard remodelling works at Byappanahalli, KR Pura and Whitefield stations.
Another major hurdle has been the lack of adequate railway land for constructing retaining walls needed for the additional tracks.
Chief Public Relations Officer of SWR Manjunath Kanamadi said the upgraded corridor would significantly improve suburban mobility once completed.
Currently, 47 up and 47 down trains operate daily between Cantonment and Byappanahalli, while 40 up and 40 down services run between Byappanahalli and Whitefield.
With the addition of a dedicated MEMU rake, officials said up to 14 more up and down services could be introduced daily, excluding maintenance blocks.
The average travel time between Cantonment and Whitefield is expected to be around 35 minutes.
SWR also plans to extend suburban services towards Tumakuru, Hosur and Kuppam depending on passenger demand.
Meanwhile, redevelopment works at Whitefield railway station and KR Pura railway station are nearing completion, with new parking facilities, platform shelters, foot overbridges and passenger amenities being added as part of the corridor expansion project.
