Namma Metro, Rail expansion to ease traffic woes in vital IT hubs

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The awaited inauguration of the metro line from RV Road to Bommasandra in Bengaluru promises relief from traffic congestion for employees commuting to Electronic City.

Alongside the metro line, the completion of the Bellandur Road-Carmelaram line doubling project, spanning 48 kilometres, is expected to bring respite to Electronic City, ending at Hosur through stations such as Heelaligi, located near Chandapur, about 3 kilometres from Electronics City-2 and 5 kilometres from Electronics City-1.

Costing Rs 498.73 crore, the project encompasses extensive work from Baiyappanahalli to Bellandur Road, Carmelaram, Huskoor, Heelaligi, Anekal, and Marayanayakanahalli.

K-Ride's Projects Director, RK Singh, has indicated that the 10.5-kilometre Carmelaram to Heelaligi stretch is on track for completion by the end of the financial year, with progress being made on the 3.5-kilometre stretch from Bellandur Road to Carmelaram, a pivotal phase in the project's advancement.

The 7-kilometre route between Anekal and Maranayakanahalli is also scheduled for completion. The expansion entails transforming the single track on Bellandur Road into four tracks, facilitating five rails in the area.

Additionally, the project involves the construction of a new station at Huskoor, located between Carmelaram and Heelaligi, further enhancing train operations.

With four new platforms at Bengaluru Cantonment, the South Western Railway aims to potentially run a train every 30 minutes from Cantonment to Heelaligi starting March 2024.

This development includes the preparation of two new MEMU 8 - coach trains for these routes. The widening of the lower bridge between Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield, part of the doubling project, is poised to have a significant impact.

Urban transport expert Sanjeev Dhammanavar underscores the potential positive impacts of the four-lane project between Bengaluru Cantonment and Whitefield, with an emphasis on the anticipated benefits for commuters heading to Sarjapur, Wipro office, and destinations in Anekal and Carmelaram.