In a significant move to tackle the city’s chronic traffic congestion, the Indian Railways has announced plans to introduce a direct train connectivity option between Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) and Bengaluru city. This will be an additional mode of transport alongside the existing road, metro rail, and suburban railway services provided by the state government.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement, highlighting that while Metro Rail, road networks, and the K-RIDE suburban railway currently serve the airport, Indian Railways will now add a dedicated railway link to further ease commuter travel.
Vaishnaw acknowledged that some technical hurdles need to be addressed before the project can be fully implemented. However, he assured that the railway team has been actively working to resolve these challenges.
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“I recently traveled from the airport to Bengaluru city by train, and it was a comfortable 40 to 45-minute ride. However, certain technical issues, including the requirement for a rail flyover, needed attention. The team has completed the necessary groundwork, and they presented the concept to me today. I will share the final plan soon. This initiative will bring significant relief to the people of Bengaluru,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of expanding urban rail connectivity, Vaishnaw pointed out that Bengaluru, with a population of 1.5 crore, requires rapid development in metro and suburban railway networks. He stressed that the Centre and state government must work in sync to implement these crucial projects effectively.
Vaishnaw also addressed the progress of the K-RIDE suburban railway project, a joint venture between the state government and the Centre aimed at improving rail infrastructure in the city. However, he noted that the lack of technical personnel has been a major hurdle.
“I will request the state government to appoint a full-time MD from the Railway technical cadre to oversee K-RIDE. Without this, the progress will remain slow,” he added.
The Railway Minister also confirmed that the Circular Rail project around Bengaluru has now been finalized. The idea was initially proposed about a year and a half ago, and its implementation will significantly enhance rail connectivity within the city.
“Bengaluru is connected to the city through seven railway spokes. We introduced the idea of a Circular Rail Network to integrate these routes, and now the concept is finalized,” Vaishnaw stated.
Speaking on metro train manufacturing, Vaishnaw clarified that while the railway ministry is not directly responsible, efforts will be made to ensure the people of Bengaluru receive better public transport facilities. “This is not about state or Centre jurisdiction; our focus should be on providing better services to the people,” he remarked.
With the railway’s new airport connectivity plan, Bengaluru commuters can soon expect a more efficient, comfortable, and time-saving transport option, reducing their dependence on congested roads.
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