Plans afoot in Bengaluru to get semi-high-speed Namo Bharat trains for regional connectivity

Bengaluru is set to experience a major boost in regional mobility, with the proposed introduction of semi-high-speed Namo Bharat trains linking the city to neighboring regions. In a bid to improve intercity transport, the Karnataka State Government is in discussions with the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to develop a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), modeled after the successful Delhi–Meerut system.

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Plans to create four Namo Bharat corridors

The NCRTC has put forward plans to create four Namo Bharat corridors radiating from Bengaluru: Bengaluru–Hoskote–Kolar (65 km), Bengaluru–Mysuru (145 km), Bengaluru–Tumakuru (60 km), and Bengaluru–Hosur–Krishnagiri–Dharmapuri (138 km), with the latter extending into Tamil Nadu. A team of state officials recently visited NCRTC headquarters in New Delhi to review the project's feasibility and technical design.

The Namo Bharat trains are expected to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, offering a fast and comfortable alternative for daily commuters. Designed for efficiency, the trains will operate with fewer stops than metro services but will run more frequently than long-distance trains, without requiring advance bookings. Services could run every 15 minutes, with peak-hour frequencies increasing to every five minutes.

This initiative is expected to significantly ease Bengaluru's traffic congestion, complementing the ongoing suburban rail network. The RRTS promises to be a world-class solution for regional transportation.