SWR rejuvenates ‘heritage’ halts, extends train service from city to Chikkaballapura

Chandra Prabhu | NT

Bengaluru: In a move to beautify forgotten railway stations, The Bengaluru Division of the South Western Railways (SWR), along with the Bengaluru Branch of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTAC) have renovated four railway stations - Doddajala, Devanahalli, Avatihalli and Nandi Halt along the Bengaluru - Chikkaballapura Broad gauge route.

Buildings in these stations, where its structures have both colonial and vernacular significance were brought to their former glory,after the SWR announced that the services of the train to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) be extended to Chikkaballapura from Monday, December 11.

In a special tour from Yesvantpur Junction, Additional Divisional Manager Kusuma Hariprasad had laid out the plans for these halts.

“At the Doddajala halt, an art gallery will be in place by three months, and in the Avatihalli station, plans for a silk museum are established,” she told mediapersons. She also added that the Devanahalli station will have a public library.

“This will come handy for the students studying in Government schools,” Hariprasad added.

Museum, Amphitheatre and Toy train track amongst upcoming amenities in Nandi Halt situated behind the Nandi Hills, the Nandi halt will see a Rail museum, an amphitheatre and a check dam soon, according to Hariprasad.

“The amphitheatre can host plays and events. The toy train will be a treat for children,” she said.

Answering about road connectivity, Hariprasad told News Trail “We have written a letter to the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) requesting to start feeder buses from the station to the Hills.”

The trip, which is an hour and 25 minutes long, will depart Bengaluru Cantonment at 5.10 am, and reach Nandi Halt at 6.37 am.

However, the authorties have promised to prepone the same, so travellers don’t miss the sunrise at the peak.

The Final trip will start from Chikkaballapura at 6.30 pm and terminate at Cantonment by 9.00 pm.

The recently electrified broad gauge will soon have another track, with automatic signals waiting to be installed.