Two suburban rail corridors: Heelalige-Yelahanka-Rajankunte (Kanaka) and Byappanahalli -Yeshwantpur-Chikkabanavara (Mallige) are likely to benefit 5.3 lakh passengers a day. According to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by RITES, ridership of Kanaka and Mallige will be 3.3 lakh and 2 lakh, respectively, by 2025.
Chief minister BS Yediyurappa recently announced that the foundation stone for the first phase of the suburban rail link will be laid by the Prime Minister in three months.
Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprises (K-RIDE), a joint venture between the railway ministry and the state government, executing the 148-km Bengaluru suburban rail project at an estimated cost of Rs 15,767 crore. Other two corridors: KSR Bengaluru City-Yelahanka-Devanahalli corridor (Sampige) and Kengeri-Cantonment-Whitefield (Parijaata) will be taken up in the next phase.
“We’re planning to finalise civil tenders for these corridors (Kanaka and Mallige) by October. The state government has advised us to take up other two corridors: Sampige and Parijaata in the next phase. All will be completed in six years since land acquisition is minimal compared to Namma Metro,” said a K-RIDE official.
The 46.2km Kanaka Line, which passes through Carmelaram, Belandur Road, Benniganahalli, Channasandra and Yelahanka, includes 13.2km elevated and 32.9km (At-Grade). “There will be 19 stations in this section out of which five are elevated. At-Grade includes two future stations at Bommasandra and Kaveri Nagar. Yelahanka will be an interchange station. The alignment is parallel to the existing railway track to minimise private land acquisition,” said an official.
The 25km Mallige includes 12.9km elevated and 12km (At-Grade) with 14 stations comprising Lottegollahalli inter change station. This corridor passes through Banaswadi, Hebbal, Lottegollahalli and Yeshwantpur. The proposed elevated track from Lottegollahalli to Yeshwantpur is likely to run on the median of the road.
Four 6-coach trains
An average of four 6-coach trains is likely to be operated on these corridors every hour. The maintenance facilities (depot and workshop) are expected to be provided at Jnanabharathi.
Sources said Heelalige-Rajanakunte corridor may be extended up to Doddaballapur/Gauribidanur on the northern side and up to Hosur on the Heelalige side in the next phase. The Byappanahalli-Chikkabanavara corridor may be extended up to Tumakuru on northwestern side.
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