In June 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Bengaluru that the long-pending Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) would be completed in 40 months—a feat previous governments couldn’t achieve in 40 years. However, 44 months later, the project has made only 10% progress on the ground.
The BSRP, a joint venture between the Karnataka government and the Ministry of Railways, aims to provide a reliable and efficient public transportation system to alleviate Bengaluru’s notorious traffic congestion. Implemented by the Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company Limited (K-RIDE), the project is India’s first under the National Suburban Rail Policy 2018. It spans 147 km, includes 57 stations, and is divided into four corridors: Sampige, Mallige, Parijatha, and Kanaka.
Significance and Funding
The BSRP is crucial for Bengaluru, a city where the vehicle population exceeds 1 crore. It aims to reduce road users by nearly 10 lakh people, offering air-conditioned trains every 5-12 minutes with connections to Namma Metro and Indian Railways at multiple points. The project will also integrate with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), enhancing last-mile connectivity.
The project’s estimated cost is Rs 15,767 crore, funded through equity contributions from the Karnataka government, the railway ministry, and external borrowings. Loan agreements have been secured with KfW, Germany (500 million euros), and the European Investment Bank, Luxembourg (300 million euros). Despite these efforts, as of May 2024, only Rs 500 crore has been released by the railway ministry and Rs 665.42 crore by the state government.
Progress and Challenges
The BSRP’s four corridors are at different stages of progress. Corridor 2 (Mallige) is the most advanced, with over 27% of physical and 21% of financial progress. However, work on Corridors 1 (Sampige) and 3 (Parijatha) has yet to begin, and Corridor 4 (Kanaka) has seen less than 2% progress.
Environmental concerns, particularly the planned cutting of around 32,000 trees, have also posed challenges. K-RIDE has promised to plant ten trees for every tree cut, but delays in securing clearances and land for planting have slowed progress.
Bottlenecks and Solutions
BSRP’s multi-stakeholder nature involves coordination among various government agencies, funding bodies, and public utilities, leading to initial delays. Constructing new tracks alongside live railway tracks also presents safety challenges. Regular meetings and reviews aim to address these issues, but the absence of a full-time managing director for K-RIDE adds another layer of difficulty.
Expert Opinions and Future Prospects
Mobility experts argue that proactive involvement from South Western Railways (SWR) and a dedicated full-time managing director for K-RIDE are essential. Rajkumar Dugar, founder of Citizens for Citizens, emphasizes the need for effective implementation and consistent reviews by public representatives.
Despite the setbacks, the government remains focused on resolving bottlenecks and expediting the project. Once the hurdles of land acquisition, fund access, and regulatory approvals are cleared, the BSRP promises to transform Bengaluru’s transport landscape, easing traffic and providing a sustainable, efficient mode of travel for its residents.
The BSRP’s completion is eagerly awaited, not just as a testament to infrastructure development but as a crucial step towards a more livable and connected Bengaluru.
