BENGALURU: There’s good news for Bengaluru’s daily commuters. The city’s proposed suburban rail project is set to expand the railway network by adding several new stations across a 161-kilometre stretch. According to a feasibility report by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES), four main corridors have been identified — Kengeri–Whitefield, Bengaluru City–Rajanukunte, Nelamangala–Baiyappanahalli, and Heelalige–Devanahalli — which currently include 29 stations.

The report proposes 52 additional stations along these routes, bringing the total number to 81. Of these, 17 stations will serve as interchanges — five offering Rail–Rail connectivity and 12 providing Rail–Metro connections to strengthen network integration.

To improve suburban operations, RITES has also suggested constructing two dedicated tracks exclusively for suburban train services. The system will operate on broad-gauge lines with frequent services, supported by an Automatic Fare Collection System and a separate fare structure for suburban commuters.

The 35-km Kengeri–Whitefield corridor, which currently has 11 stations, will see eight new ones added, bringing the total to 19 — roughly one station every 1.8 km. The 27-km Bengaluru City–Rajanukunte line, now with six stations, will add seven more for a total of 13, providing a station every 2 km. On the 39-km Nelamangala–Baiyappanahalli route, the count will rise from five to 21 with 16 new stations, averaging one station every 1.8 km. The longest corridor, Heelalige–Devanahalli (60 km), will expand from seven to 28 stations with 21 additions, yielding an average spacing of 2.2 km per station.

Of the total 81 stations, 10 have been shortlisted as model stations for detailed planning and intermodal integration, with four of them considered in the draft report. The Kengeri–Whitefield corridor will feature a Rail–Metro interchange at Kengeri, while Bengaluru City will host both Rail–Rail and Rail–Metro interchanges for the Kengeri–Whitefield and Bengaluru City–Rajanukunte corridors. Additionally, the Lottegollahalli station will serve as an interchange point between the Bengaluru City–Rajanukunte and Nelamangala–Baiyappanahalli corridors.

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