72% of Bengaluru Cantt railway station’s energy demand to be met through solar: SWR

Bengaluru Cantonment

Bengaluru Cantonment railway station is set to meet 72 percent of its energy requirements through solar power, according to South Western Railway.

Rooftop solar panels will generate a major share of the station’s electricity needs. Speaking to reporters, Bengaluru Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Ashutosh Kumar Singh said the station consumes around 3.11 lakh units of electricity per month.

“Of this, 2.25 lakh units will be generated through the installation of 1,852 kWp rooftop solar panels, meeting 72.34 percent of the total demand,” said Singh.

He added that a sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 600 KLD will be constructed at a cost of Rs 3.17 crore, along with provisions for rainwater harvesting.

The station is being redeveloped at a cost of Rs 484.58 crore, with new buildings coming up on both the south and north sides.

“The south-side building will span 6,813 sq m, while the north-side building near Millers Road will cover 7,366 sq m. 70 percent of the construction on the south-side building is complete, while work on the north-side building has reached 29 percent completion,” said Singh.

The upgraded station will feature modern amenities such as a 3,860 sq m air concourse, spacious waiting halls, VIP lounges, three-foot overbridges each 12 metres wide, a 5-metre-wide pedestrian bridge, 12 lifts, 11 escalators, retiring rooms, dormitories, and basement parking on both sides.

Also, read: Bengaluru: Railway board sanctions automatic signalling on six major routes at cost of Rs 874 crore

Yeshwantpur railway station is also undergoing redevelopment in two phases, at a cost of Rs 377.86 crore. Phase 1 includes a linen store, RPF building, multi-level car parking, and an elevated arrival and departure plaza on the east side. In Phase 2, a new four-storey west-side building, dedicated approach roads, an air concourse above the platforms, and enhanced parking will be developed. Lifts and escalators will be installed across both phases.

Singh said 38-km Bengaluru Cantonment–Whitefield quadrupling project at a cost of Rs 492.8 crore, is progressing steadily, with significant earthwork, bridge extensions, and retaining wall construction completed.

Also, read: Bengaluru Cantt-Whitefield quadrupling by Dec 2025, Byappanahalli Metro FOB to be razed

He said that DPRs have been submitted or are in progress for multiple doubling and quadrupling projects including Yelahanka–Devanahalli (23.7 km), Devanahalli–Kolar–Bangarapet (125 km), Whitefield–Bangarapet (47 km), Byappanahalli–Hosur (48.5 km), Bengaluru–Tumakuru (70 km), and Chikkabanavara–Kunigal–Hassan (166 km).

The DPRs for Bengaluru–Mysuru and Bangarapet–Jolarpettai quadrupling corridors are to be submitted to the railway board. The DPR for the proposed 288-km circular rail network around Bengaluru, divided into seven segments, is expected by August 2025.

Also, read: Bengaluru-Chennai travel time on Vande Bharat set to reduce to 4 hours