Airport rail link approved
After years of delays, Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-Ride) and Indian Railways have finally approved the long-awaited suburban rail link to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). This project is expected to ease the daily traffic of nearly one lakh vehicles heading to the airport.
Integration with Bengaluru suburban rail project
The airport link will be part of the Majestic–Devanahalli corridor under the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP). The corridor aims to provide faster, more efficient travel for air passengers and residents in northern Bengaluru.
Route alignment and approach
The rail line will branch off from the main corridor at Ballari Road, 2 km beyond Doddajala heritage station, turn onto BK Halli Road, and approach the airport from the south, ensuring direct access to the terminal area.
Dedicated spur and stations
The dedicated 8.5 km airport spur will include two stations, at BK Halli Road and Aerospace Park. These stations are planned to serve the rapidly urbanising areas around the airport, catering to both residential and industrial zones.
Underground line within airport
A 3.5 km underground line will run inside the KIA complex, with two stations proposed. The terminal station is planned near the Taj Hotel and will be integrated with other public transport facilities to provide seamless connectivity.
Planning for future demand
Trains will initially run with three coaches, but stations are designed to accommodate nine-coach trains in the future. This ensures that the system can handle the anticipated increase in passengers as the surrounding areas grow.
Project delays and de-prioritisation
Although the Majestic–Devanahalli corridor was approved in 2020, the airport link was de-prioritised, reportedly to avoid competition with the Blue Line Metro proposed by BMRCL. As a result, road congestion near the airport remained a major issue.
Metro expansion still in progress
The 58 km BMRCL Blue Line connecting Silk Board to KIA via KR Pura and Hebbal is expected to open by 2027, but delays in other metro projects have made commuters sceptical about this timeline.
Land acquisition and tender challenges
K-Ride will float tenders in phases after securing the required land. Earlier, L&T terminated contracts due to unavailable land, forcing fresh tenders for the Byappanahalli–Chikkabanavara corridor and delaying the project further.
Government oversight and deadlines
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set a 40-month completion deadline in June 2022. However, no corridors have been opened so far. The delays were highlighted in a Pragati meeting, with instructions given to expedite stalled projects, including Majestic–Devanahalli and Kengeri–Whitefield corridors.