City-Nelamangala train in a month

The South Western Railways (SWR) is set to begin an inter-city train services between Bangalore City and Nelamangala in a month’s time.

SWR Public Relations Officer Suvankar Biswas said: “Testing and security checks have been completed. We are finalising the communication and ticketing systems. At the same time, we have started preparations for the inauguration function. The station will be thrown open to public and train services will start within a month.”

Once the service is launched, one can reach Bangalore from Nelamangala and vice-versa in 45 minutes and at a much cheaper fare. It takes between one-and-a-half and two hours to reach the town by road from Bangalore.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses charge Rs 30 for a seat from Bangalore to Nelamangala. The train fare is likely to around Rs 10.

Two trips a day

To begin with, the SWR is planning to run two trips a day — morning and evening. The inter-city service will pass through Malleswaram and Yeshwantpur before reaching Nelamangala from Bangalore. Based on the response, the SWR will take a decision to increase the number of trips. The SWR has already started the trial run on the tracks from Monday.

Nelamangala station, located two km from the town bus stand, was constructed about 10 years ago. Though all infrastructure to run trains were provided, the service was not started.

As a result, the station building, ticketing counters, signals and staff quarters are in a dilapidated condition.