Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Suburban Transport Project (BSTP) has achieved 19.95% overall physical progress and 20.66% financial progress, according to project implementation agency Bengaluru Integrated Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprise Limited (Bi-RIDE).

The project has a revised completion deadline of March 2030, with construction progressing on key corridors and station works.

Work advances on Corridors 2 and 4

Construction is progressing on Corridor 2 between Benniganahalli and Chikkabanavara, covering 25.01 km, and Corridor 4 between Heelalige and Rajanukunte, covering 46.88 km.

Work is currently underway at 30 stations across the two corridors. Land acquisition for Corridor 2 has been completed, while the process for Corridor 4 is in its final stages.

Bi-RIDE has awarded tenders for two packages on Corridor 2 and invited bids for the remaining 8.9-km package.

On Corridor 4, tenders have been floated for a 22.54-km section. However, the agency has missed the July 2026 deadline for inviting bids for the remaining 24.34-km section involving viaducts and tracks.

Separate contracts cover station construction, with contracts awarded for 12 stations on Corridor 2 and 18 stations on Corridor 4.

Airport corridor depot gets forest clearance

Bi-RIDE has received Stage 2 forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the Akkupete depot, which will serve Corridor 1 connecting KSR Bengaluru with Devanahalli/Airport.

The 49.9-km Corridor 1 is part of the suburban rail network. The government order for executing work at the Akkupete depot has also been obtained, while acquisition of private land required for the approach is underway.

ETCS Level-2 approved for suburban rail

Bi-RIDE has also received approval to implement the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-2 across all suburban rail corridors, replacing the previously planned Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) system.

According to Bi-RIDE, the decision is intended to align the project with international practices in railway signalling, safety and operational efficiency.

The agency has also begun the tender process to eliminate 11 level crossings on Packages 1 and 2 of Corridor 4. The crossings will be removed by raising railway tracks rather than altering existing road levels.

Corridors 1 and 3 remain under phased plan

The latest newsletter did not mention progress on Corridors 1 and 3. Rail activist Rajkumar Dugar questioned whether the two corridors had been abandoned.

However, at its 22nd board meeting, Bi-RIDE approved phased implementation of all works sanctioned under the Detailed Project Report (DPR), including the airport link, with corridors and packages to be prioritised according to project requirements and funding availability.

Bi-RIDE Managing Director Lakshman Singh has previously said Corridor 2 is targeted for opening by December 2028, Corridor 4 by June 2029, and Corridors 1 and 3 by March 2030.