Bengaluru: Bengaluru’s ambitious suburban rail project has received a major boost after Bengaluru Integrated Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprise Limited (Bi-RIDE), a subsidiary of K-RIDE, issued a Rs 1,513.75 crore work order to the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, for the procurement of 153 air-conditioned broad-gauge metro-style coaches.

The coaches are being procured for Corridors 2 and 4 of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project and are expected to play a crucial role in improving urban mobility and easing traffic congestion in the city.

According to officials, the contract was awarded on May 6, and the delivery of the coaches is expected to begin within the next 18 months.

Coaches planned for Corridors 2 and 4

The procurement is aligned with the planned operational timeline for the Chikkabanavara-Yeshwanthpur section under Corridor 2 of the suburban rail network.

Officials stated that the delivery schedule has also been planned in accordance with directives issued during the Prime Minister’s PRAGATI review meeting held in December last year.

The contract awarded to ICF includes detailed design, manufacturing, testing, inspection, integration and commissioning of the rolling stock for the suburban rail project.

ICF will additionally be responsible for obtaining statutory approvals from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). The Chennai-based coach manufacturer will also coordinate with signalling, traction, power supply and platform screen door contractors involved in the project.

Coaches to meet advanced safety standards

K-RIDE officials said the new trains will comply with RAMS standards, which refer to Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety — critical operational requirements for modern suburban rail systems.

The air-conditioned coaches are expected to provide metro-like travel comfort while supporting high-frequency suburban operations across Bengaluru.

The suburban rail project is being viewed as a key long-term transport solution for Bengaluru, a city that continues to face severe traffic congestion and increasing commuting challenges due to rapid urban expansion.

K-RIDE calls order a major milestone

K-RIDE Managing Director Lakshman Singh described the work order as a significant milestone for the suburban rail initiative.

“This work order is a milestone for the project. Through this partnership with ICF, we are ensuring that the required train coaches will be available by the time the track and systems infrastructure work for Corridors 2 and 4 is completed,” he said.

He further stated that synchronising rolling stock delivery with infrastructure completion would help avoid operational delays and ensure timely implementation of the suburban rail network.

“This synchronisation will help deliver a world-class suburban rail network to the citizens of Bengaluru without any delay, fulfilling the vision of sustainable urban transport and easing the city’s traffic congestion,” Singh added.

MoU between K-RIDE and ICF expected soon

Officials confirmed that a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between K-RIDE and the Integral Coach Factory is expected to be signed shortly.

The Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project is one of Karnataka’s largest urban mobility initiatives and aims to integrate suburban rail services with other public transport systems including Namma Metro and BMTC bus services.

Once completed, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time for daily commuters while improving connectivity between Bengaluru city and surrounding suburban regions.

Urban transport experts believe the suburban rail network could become a major alternative to private vehicle usage in Bengaluru and play an important role in reducing road congestion and pollution levels in the coming years.