Decongesting Bengaluru: Rapid rail corridors to connect city with neighbouring towns – Know all proposed corridors

The NCRTC has proposed four corridors for Karnataka: Bengaluru-Hoskote-Kolar (65 km), Bengaluru-Mysuru (145 km), Bengaluru-Tumakuru (60 km), and Bengaluru-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri (138 km).

The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has shown interest in preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) for semi-high-speed Namo Bharat rail corridors connecting Bengaluru to nearby cities.

The Karnataka government has been in talks with the NCRTC to explore a regional rapid transit system (RRTS) aimed at easing traffic congestion in the city. NCRTC is the developer of the partially operational Delhi-Meerut RRTS, popularly called Namo Bharat, which has served as a model for this proposal.

Proposed corridors and travel times

The NCRTC has proposed four corridors for Karnataka: Bengaluru-Hoskote-Kolar (65 km), Bengaluru-Mysuru (145 km), Bengaluru-Tumakuru (60 km), and Bengaluru-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri (138 km), according to a report by Deccan Herald.

Trains on these corridors are expected to run at an average speed of 85 km/h. Travel between Bengaluru and Mysuru would take approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, while Bengaluru to Tumakuru could be covered in just 42 minutes. NCRTC has expressed its readiness also to execute and operate these corridors once approved.

Recently, a team of Karnataka officials visited the NCRTC headquarters and toured India’s first rapid rail corridor from Sarai Kale Khan (Delhi) to Meerut to understand the system firsthand.

NCRTC has proposed a funding model similar to the Delhi–Meerut corridor, with 60% financing from multilateral agencies and 20% each from the central and state governments.

Heavy Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil confirmed that the state government is keen to decongest Bengaluru and provide seamless connectivity to neighbouring cities. He noted that while Karnataka is developing a suburban railway network, the Namo Bharat corridors could be considered if they prove a better alternative.

Advantages and transit-oriented development

Namo Bharat offers speeds up to 160 km/h, providing a fast, reliable, and safe transport option distinct from conventional rail and metro systems.

Unlike traditional trains, it does not operate on a fixed timetable or require seat reservations, and unlike the metro, it covers longer distances with fewer stops.

NCRTC has also suggested integrating transit-oriented development (TOD) along the proposed corridors to promote structured urban growth, ensure accessibility, and further ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion.