Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Aug 27: South Western Railway (SWR) is planning six additional platforms at Bengaluru’s two key railway stations — KSR Bengaluru City and Yeshwanthpur — to ease congestion, improve train movement and reduce instances of trains being held outside stations due to a lack of platform space.
The proposal includes two new platforms at KSR Bengaluru and four at Yeshwanthpur, with the projects together estimated to cost Rs 559.64 crore.
The expansion will take KSR Bengaluru’s platform count from 10 to 12 and Yeshwanthpur’s from six to 10. Officials expect the additional capacity to facilitate smoother scheduling of arrivals and departures, reduce congestion and prevent trains from waiting outside when all platforms are occupied.
The projects seek to address a growing operational challenge as Bengaluru’s rail traffic rises and limited station capacity makes platform availability a recurring concern during busy periods.
KSR Bengaluru to get two platforms
SWR completed the first phase of yard remodelling at KSR Bengaluru in the first week of August, and officials said the work has already improved train movement within the station yard.
The next phase will focus on platform expansion. The Railway Board has approved two additional platforms at an estimated cost of Rs 228 crore, with technical procedures already under way.
The new platforms will help KSR Bengaluru handle trains towards Mysuru and other destinations in south Karnataka, including services routed through Yeshwanthpur.
Four new island platforms at Yeshwanthpur
Yeshwanthpur will receive four new island platforms at an estimated cost of Rs 331.64 crore. Two will be around 390 metres long, primarily serving suburban and MEMU trains, while the other two will measure around 600 metres and accommodate mainline services.
SWR plans to shift the track machine depot at Yeshwanthpur to create space. The project will also involve changes to existing railway infrastructure, removal of some structures and acquisition of adjoining land.
Officials are considering clearing or acquiring portions of staff quarters, an educational institution and a nearby railway colony. Around 200 trees may also have to be removed to make way for the proposed infrastructure.
The expansion will complement the ongoing Rs 377-crore redevelopment of Yeshwanthpur station, which includes a new station building, air concourse, multi-level parking and separate entry and exit arrangements. Additional facilities for train operations and maintenance, including infrastructure for Vande Bharat services, are also planned.
KSR Bengaluru has faced relatively less pressure since Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal at Baiyappanahalli opened in 2022, taking over several long-distance services, particularly trains towards North India. However, platform constraints and delays continue to affect operations.
As Bengaluru’s railway network expands, occupied platforms often force arriving trains to wait outside stations, inconveniencing passengers and disrupting schedules. The six proposed platforms are expected to provide greater flexibility and improve operations at two of the city’s busiest rail hubs.
GBA pushes railway track clean-up
Meanwhile, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao has directed officials to intensify cleanliness and maintenance along railway tracks under the ‘Freedom from Waste’ campaign.
During an inspection of railway land and adjoining areas, Rao ordered immediate removal of construction and demolition waste near the Yelahanka Railway Underpass on Ballari Road and directed officials to install fencing to prevent further dumping.
He instructed officials to clean and beautify the railway track stretch from Allalasandra in coordination with NGOs, and directed the Railways and K-RIDE to clear overgrown bushes and vegetation along the Jakkur-Srirampura railway alternative road.
Rao also ordered the establishment of a dedicated waste transfer point on corporation land near Thanisandra Main Road, where auto-tippers can safely transfer waste to compactors.
At the ORR service road near Ramamurthy Nagar, he inspected C&D waste removal and directed teams to clean the area thoroughly using JCBs, machinery and tractors.