In a significant push to enhance travel infrastructure and intercity connectivity, South Western Railway has initiated plans to quadruple railway lines between Bengaluru and Mysuru. The move aims to drastically reduce travel time and increase train frequency to every 10 minutes.
Addressing the media, Bengaluru Division DRM Ashutosh Kumar Singh revealed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be submitted between July and December 2025, with the estimated project cost pegged at ₹6,850 crore. Electrification and dual dedicated train services are also part of the plan—one for commuters on the Bengaluru-Mysuru route and the other for extended destinations.
This comes alongside talks to expand Metro connectivity and develop a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) to integrate Bengaluru with nearby urban centres.
The Railway Board, in December 2023, had approved location surveys for the quadrupling project and a circular railway around Bengaluru’s suburbs. Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has proposed introducing Namo Bharat trains to Karnataka, offering semi-high-speed transit at average speeds of 90 km/h, with a top speed of 180 km/h.
Four RRTS corridors from Bengaluru are proposed:
- Bengaluru–Mysuru (145 km)
- Bengaluru–Hoskote–Kolar (65 km)
- Bengaluru–Tumakuru (60 km)
- Bengaluru–Hosur–Krishnagiri–Dharmapuri (138 km)
The NCRTC has offered to assist in DPR preparation and invited Karnataka officials to experience the system in Delhi-NCR.