Centre Plans Four-Track Rail Lines Linking Bengaluru to Cities Within 100 km; Mangaluru Corridor Also in Focus

Bengaluru: The Centre plans to develop four-track rail corridors connecting the capital Bengaluru to cities within a 100 km radius, Union Railways Minister of State V. Somanna announced on Monday. The Bengaluru–Mangaluru route will also be considered for a similar four-track upgrade, he added.

Somanna made these remarks while inaugurating a newly constructed road overbridge near Elakeri in Channapatna taluk. Prior to his address, state Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil had raised Karnataka's railway demands at the event, calling for four-track rail lines from Bengaluru to Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hindupur (via Gauribidanur), and Kolar.

Responding positively to these demands, Somanna said the survey for the Bengaluru–Tumakuru four-track corridor is already complete and tendering will begin soon, with the aim of completing construction within one and a half to two years. He also confirmed that a survey has been approved for the Bengaluru–Mysuru four-track line.

Somanna assured that a direct rail link will be established between Bengaluru and Kolar, and that the existing four-track line — currently ending at Whitefield — will be extended further. Land acquisition for the extension will be handled by the Central Government, he promised.

Bengaluru–Mangaluru Four-Track Corridor

MB Patil had also called for a parallel road and rail route between Sakleshpur and Gundya to improve fast rail connectivity between Bengaluru and the coastal city of Mangaluru. Responding to this, Somanna described it as a useful suggestion, stating that developing a four-track rail corridor between the two cities is necessary. Connecting the port city of Mangaluru will bring many benefits, and this too is a priority, he said.

Somanna also indicated that the demand to double the currently single-track Tumakuru–Chitradurga–Davangere route — where work is already progressing — will be considered.

Inspection Journey on SPIC

Both ministers — Somanna and Patil — travelled in a SPIC (Self-Propelled Inspection Car), a special railway inspection vehicle used to assess infrastructure quality, safety, and progress of development works. They journeyed from Bengaluru railway station to Channapatna and returned on the same vehicle. During the trip, Patil discussed ongoing and proposed railway projects in Karnataka with the railway minister and also handed over a letter outlining the state's demands.

Among those present at the event were MP Dr. C.N. Manjunath, MLA C.P. Yogeeshwara, Bengaluru South Deputy Commissioner Yashwant Gurikar, South Western Railway Chief Administrative Officer A.K. Gupta, Additional Divisional Manager Praveen Kataraki, Infrastructure Department Joint Secretary Chandrashekar, and other senior officials.