Bengaluru may get India’s first fully elevated rail terminal at Yelahanka

South Western Railway proposes a Hangzhou-inspired, airport-style mega coaching terminal on Railway Wheel Factory land, aimed at easing congestion and meeting future passenger growth in North Bengaluru.

Bengaluru could soon witness a major transformation in its railway infrastructure with a proposal to build a China (Hangzhou)-style elevated railway terminal in Yelahanka, located in the northern part of the city. The South Western Railway (SWR) has prepared a detailed proposal for a multi-level, airport-like mega coaching terminal designed to handle rising passenger traffic.

The proposed terminal is planned partially on the land of the Railway Wheel Factory (RWF) at Yelahanka. Once completed, it is expected to become Bengaluru’s fourth major railway terminal, after KSR Bengaluru City, Yeshwantpur, and Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal at Baiyappanahalli. Initially, the fourth terminal was proposed at Devanahalli, but the plan was later shifted to Yelahanka to make use of available railway land.

The terminal is planned across nearly 20 acres and will feature 16 platforms. Of the total 192 acres belonging to the Railway Wheel Factory, around 15 acres will be used for this project. The proposal also includes about two acres of private land, along with the existing Yelahanka station yard and RWF staff quarters. Currently, Yelahanka railway station has five platforms. The new terminal is also expected to include 10 stabling lines and 15 pit lines.

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This project is being projected as India’s first fully elevated coaching terminal. The design includes five levels, basement, ground floor, and three upper levels, similar to an airport structure. These levels will house concourses, mezzanine floors, waiting areas, platforms, and underground facilities. Train tracks are planned at the basement and ground levels, making this a completely vertical railway terminal.

The elevated and vertical design has been chosen mainly due to high land costs in Bengaluru. By building upwards instead of expanding horizontally, railway authorities aim to optimise limited urban space. The project also explores commercial development within the terminal to generate additional revenue. This will be the first instance in India where railway tracks themselves are elevated as part of terminal development.

Connectivity is another key feature of the project. The terminal will be linked to the nearby Kogilu Cross Metro station on the Blue Line through an elevated road. The main entry to the terminal will be from the Yelahanka-Doddaballapur highway, offering airport-style access for passengers.

To reduce overcrowding and confusion, the terminal design focuses on separating passenger movement. Arriving and departing passengers will use different levels, ensuring a one-way flow and avoiding cross-movement, which is a common cause of congestion at traditional railway stations.

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The design concept is inspired by the Hangzhou railway terminal in China, known for its efficient use of vertical space in dense urban areas. Under the plan, arriving passengers will disembark at the minus-one level and exit through underground areas, while departing passengers will enter through the concourse, access ticketing and waiting zones, and then proceed to platforms.

North Bengaluru has been witnessing rapid development, and this terminal is expected to support future traffic growth while easing pressure on existing railway stations in the city.

The estimated cost of the project is around ₹6,000 crore. In addition to RWF land and the existing station yard, the project may require around three acres from private entities and some land from Yelahanka railway quarters. The project could be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model or a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.

The proposal has been submitted to the Railway Board and is currently awaiting approval. The Bengaluru Divisional Railway Manager has stated that the project is still in its initial stage and has not yet received clearance from the Railway Board. However, with rising land prices and increasing passenger demand, the need for a mega terminal in Bengaluru is becoming more urgent.

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