BENGALURU: Following an inspection of the progress achieved on the only operational stretch of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil announced on Friday a revision of the project's completion deadline to 2028. This marks a two-year extension from the previous timeline. The BSRP, encompassing a length of 148.17 kilometers, comes at a cost of Rs 15,767 crore and encompasses four distinct corridors.
Addressing the media after reviewing the ongoing developments on Corridor-2 (Mallige Line), which extends from Bennigenahalli to Chikkabanavara and includes sites like Lingarajapuram, Shampura Gate, and Yeshwantpur yard, Patil stated, “We will strive to meet the original 2026 deadline, yet unforeseen circumstances might lead to delays, hence I'm accounting for a two-year buffer.”
Larsen and Toubro are presently in charge of the civil construction for this line. Minister Patil noted, “At present, approximately 10 to 15 percent of the work has been finished. The project is projected to conclude within the next 26 months.”
Once individual segments are finished, they will be opened sequentially. The full project could potentially extend until 2028,” Patil explained.
Among the BSRP corridors, Corridor-2 is the solitary one where construction work has commenced. Technical evaluations of bids are ongoing for the remaining corridor, which spans 46.8 kilometers and runs from Heelalige to Rajanakunte (Corridor-4).
Progress remains pending for the other two corridors: from KSR railway station to Devanahalli via Yelahanka (Corridor-1) and from Kengeri to Whitefield (Corridor-3).
Addressing questions from journalists about the absence of a full-time managing director to oversee the crucial project, Patil reassured that the matter would be resolved soon. “We are aiming for a general cadre administrative officer (IAS), while the Railways are inclined towards an IRSE (Indian Railway Service of Engineers) officer. We've had multiple rounds of discussions on this matter, and a resolution is imminent,” Patil assured.
