BIAL, SWR announce train halt station at airport

The Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) will set up a halt station at the airport, near the trumpet interchange, for trains en route Devanahalli to facilitate easy conveyance for passengers and employees.

Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Anil Kumar Agarwal on Tuesday told mediapersons that the South Western Railways (SWR) was ready to provide a stop at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for trains on the route. He was speaking at the inauguration of a BMTC bay at the City Railway Station for buses towards KIA.

Responding to the DRM’s suggestion, Bhaskar B, Senior Director (Finance and Support Services), BIAL, announced that the BIAL would take up the halt station construction.

Bhaskar told reporters that the railway line passes within the compound of KIA and a station would be constructed at the earliest. “We have a huge area of over 4,000 acres. We will ensure that the halt stop is constructed somewhere near the Trumpet Interchange," he said.
Agarwal pointed out that train facility to the KIA will not only help passengers but also those working at the airport, who shell out a big sum to travel every day.

“The travel will be cheaper and those at KIA will be benefitted. The BIAL should create a halt station at KIA or provide financial assistance to SWR, which can construct one. It will not be an expensive one. It can be set up with a budget of Rs 50 lakh to 60 lakh,” Agarwal said.

Bhaskar referred to an earlier proposal that was sent to the Railway Ministry, the DRM suggested that it be sent to him so that the work is done at the earliest.

Feasibility study

Sources in the Railways recently said that the SWR and the State government will conduct a feasibility study on a railway link to the KIA on the existing Chikkaballapur line.

Although the idea is still in the initial stage, it appears feasible as there is not much rail traffic on the Bengaluru City - Devanahalli - Chikkaballapur line. These include Yeshwantpur - Yelahanka - Devanahalli, Bangalore City - Yeshwantpur - Yelahanka, Devanahalli - Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru City - Yelahanka - Devanahalli - Chikkaballapur - Shidlaghatta - Chintamani - Kolar.

According to railway officials, the feasibility study would look into whether the existing line could be used and if the frequency of trains could be increased depending on the demand.