Bengaluru’s long-stalled suburban rail project finally on track after five years

After years of delays, the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) has finally picked up momentum with construction starting at Kasturi Nagar station. The long-awaited network aims to ease traffic congestion and promote sustainable urban mobility.

After a prolonged wait, Bengaluru’s much-anticipated Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) has finally moved from blueprint to reality. Government approval has paved the way for construction, marking the first tangible progress in nearly five years.

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A Hyderabad-based construction company has commenced work at Kasturi Nagar station along the Baiyappanahalli-Chikkabanavara corridor. The nodal agency, K-Ride, has signed contracts worth several crores to construct eight major stations, including Benniganahalli (an elevated interchange), Kasturi Nagar, Sevanagar, Banaswadi, Nagawara, Kanakanagar, Hebbal, and Mattikere.

Officials confirmed that each station will feature solar panel installations, rainwater harvesting systems, and eco-friendly architecture. Around 20-30% of the stations’ energy requirements will be met through renewable sources. Every station will be built following IBGC Platinum green certification standards, ensuring minimal environmental footprint.

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Earlier debates about accommodating 3-, 6-, or 9-coach trains have been settled, with the 2019 Detailed Project Report (DPR) confirming a nine-coach design. While the blueprint was finalized years ago, bureaucratic delays and political inaction stalled the project’s execution.

Activists and urban transport experts have long argued that the suburban rail system could be a game changer for Bengaluru’s overburdened road network, offering a mass-transit alternative for lakhs of commuters. With the latest push, residents are hopeful that commercial operations won’t be far behind.