Click it and Unblock the Notifications
India's first semi-high-speed regional rail, the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), started partial service in October 2023. Covering 55 km of the planned 82 km route, this system has made travel faster and easier with speeds reaching up to 160 kmph. Now, similar corridors may be coming to Karnataka, with plans to connect major cities around Bengaluru.
Proposed routes in Karnataka
The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which manages the Delhi-Meerut RRTS, has proposed four new Namo Bharat corridors from Bengaluru:
- Bengaluru-Hoskote-Kolar (65 km)
- Bengaluru-Mysuru (145 km)
- Bengaluru-Tumakuru (60 km)
- Bengaluru-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri (138 km)
These routes are planned to improve travel between Karnataka and nearby Tamil Nadu. Karnataka officials have been invited to visit the operating section of the Delhi-NCR corridor to understand how it works.
Funding and planning
The proposal follows the same funding model as the Delhi-Meerut corridor: 60% of the cost from international agencies, 20% from the central government, and 20% from the state. NCRTC is ready to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) if the Karnataka government agrees.
Transit-oriented development
NCRTC also suggests a transit-oriented development model. This means planning homes, offices, and shops around the train stations. It helps reduce traffic in Bengaluru and allows smaller cities like Kolar, Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Hosur to grow in a more organized way.
Mysuru is expected to reach a population of 3.5 million by 2031 and is already strong in tourism and industry. Kolar is changing from a mining area into a hub for manufacturing and logistics. Tumakuru is already known for its industries. Better trains can boost growth in all these cities.
Other plans and suggestions
Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has also shared plans for extending the metro to Tumakuru, Bidadi, and Harohalli. Tamil Nadu is supporting a metro line between Bommasandra and Hosur with 12 stations.
However, Karnataka is unsure because of high costs. Some experts believe RRTS or suburban rail could be better for nearby towns since they have more seats and fewer stops than the metro.
Past challenges and future hopes
Earlier, Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company (K-RIDE) had suggested a 452-km suburban rail network. But South Western Railway turned it down, asking the state to focus on the approved 148-km Phase 1 instead.
Separately, a high-speed rail project between Chennai and Mysuru is being planned for 2051, which will have nine stations along the route.
The Namo Bharat corridors aim to turn stations into busy economic areas with housing and offices, giving people more places to live and work. If Karnataka moves ahead, it could become one of the first states with a wide-reaching high-speed regional train system.
The Delhi-Meerut corridor has already increased public transport use from 37% to 63% and reduced over one lakh private vehicles from the roads. Similar success could come to Karnataka if these ideas take shape.
