Bengaluru suburban rail project near standstill amid Karnataka–Centre tussle

Bengaluru suburban rail project

In June 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while laying the foundation stone, promised to complete the 148-km long-delayed Bengaluru suburban rail project (four corridors) — stalled for 40 years — within 40 months.

Now, 34 months later, a reality check by Moneycontrol has found that the project is progressing at a snail’s pace, with contractor L&T having shifted most of its men and machinery to other sites. Work such as earthwork, blanketing, and retaining wall construction had been carried out in scattered patches.

Also read: Two Bengaluru suburban rail corridors to be ready by Dec 2026: Railways MoS V Somanna

The Union government approved the project in October 2020 with a six-year deadline (2026). However, given the current sluggish pace, meeting the deadline appears unlikely. In fact, construction has commenced on only two of the four corridors: 24.8-km Mallige Line (Baiyyappanahalli–Chikkabanavara) and 46.2-km Kanaka Line (Heelalige–Rajanakunte).

Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Ltd (K-RIDE), a joint venture between the Karnataka government and the Ministry of Railways, is implementing the Rs 15,767-crore project.

L&T threatens to exit project

Sources said L&T, which received the contract for two corridors, has even threatened to withdraw from the project, citing the non-availability of land as the primary reason. The company was unavailable for comment.

L&T was responsible for work including earthwork, blanketing, retaining walls, road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs), major and minor bridges, and related civil works. However, the company has reportedly suspended much of its activity due to land acquisition delays.

“If land is not provided, how can we proceed with the work? At most locations, private landowners have obtained court stay orders. We had mobilised all resources, but now there's no choice but to suspend work. If 100 percent of the required land is handed over, we can resume. Otherwise, it’s difficult,” an L&T source told Moneycontrol.

Also read: Karnataka minister pulls up L&T for slow pace of work, says Bengaluru suburban rail might not be ready by Aug 2025

Several engineers assigned to the project have either sought to be relieved or resigned from the company, frustrated by the prolonged delays. “Our careers are at stake. The slow pace of work is affecting our appraisals. Many engineers have quit the company due to these issues. The biggest roadblock is the shortage of land. If property owners file cases, how can we carry out the work?” said one engineer.

As per the original timeline, the civil works (at-grade, viaducts, bridges) for the Mallige Line were to be completed by December 2025, track laying by December 2025, station and depot works, traction, power supply, lifts, escalators, signalling, and AFC gates installation by May 2026.

Similarly, for the Kanaka Line, construction of at-grade tracks, viaducts, bridges, and stations was scheduled for completion by August 2025. However, given the current slow pace of execution, these deadlines are unlikely to be met. In fact, station work has not even commenced yet.

A senior government official said, “We had handed over the majority of the land to L&T. Some private landowners have gone to court, and some are demanding more compensation. The land costs have increased manifold compared to the estimates prepared earlier. The government also has a cash crunch. But we will resolve the issues one by one and get the project on track.”

Tussle between Union and state governments slows project

Sources say the tussle between the Union and state governments has impacted the progress of the suburban rail project. The key issues include South Western Railway’s reluctance to hand over land on time, poor coordination with K-RIDE, and absence of a full-time Managing Director (MD). Currently, N Manjula, secretary to the Karnataka Infrastructure Development, Ports, and Inland Water Transport Department, holds additional charge as MD of K-RIDE.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has recently said that there is a need for a full-time Managing Director with expertise in railway technology and blamed the state government for delays in land acquisition.

Also, read: Bengaluru suburban rail needs full-time MD familiar with railway tech: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Sources said that the Union government wants someone from the Railway Ministry as MD, while the state government is keen on an IAS officer from the Karnataka cadre. The stalemate has delayed the appointment of a full-time MD.

South Western Railway is also delaying the transfer of land for the Sampige Line (KSR Bengaluru–Devanahalli) and the Parijaata Line (Kengeri–Whitefield), citing future expansion work like doubling and quadrupling works.

Meanwhile, the rolling stock for the project is also uncertain. While the Karnataka Cabinet approved Rs 2,135 crore as its 50 percent share for procuring 306 coaches, the Union government has yet to release its corresponding contribution. Due to poor response from vendors, K-RIDE had to abandon its initial leasing model and opt for direct procurement.

The Integral Coach Factory in Chennai is now expected to supply Metro-like air-conditioned coaches. However, since K-RIDE is procuring coaches from ICF without a tender, it will need approval from the Karnataka cabinet for a tender exemption under Section 4(g) of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act.

Also read: India's most congested city, Bengaluru, faces train set supply crisis

Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil told Moneycontrol, “We have planned certain things. We will share at the appropriate time.”

Rail enthusiasts upset

Many rail enthusiasts are unhappy with the pace of the project. Rajkumar Dugar, founder & convenor of Citizens for Citizens (C4C), an NGO, said: “K-RIDE has stopped publishing the Samparka newsletter, which details the progress of the project, since October 2024. In most sections, work has almost come to a halt, which is very disappointing. There is no transparency. They should come out clean about the situation”.

Also read: Bengaluru suburban rail's airport line: Civil work tender floated for KSR City-Yelahanka section

He added, “KSR Bengaluru City–Yelahanka section civil work tender was called in July 2024, but it has still not been awarded. There’s something seriously wrong. Similarly, Yelahanka – Kempegowda International Airport tender hasn’t been called yet.”

“This project passes through the constituencies of five MPs in and around Bengaluru but they are not even monitoring it. K-RIDE needs to come clean about the challenges.” he said.

Pruthvin Reddy, an infrastructure enthusiast, said: “Both K-RIDE and KIADB (Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board), which acquire private land, come under minister MB Patil, so the process should be expedited. K-RIDE should also focus on land acquisition and utility shifting to hand over the land to the contractors. But right now, L&T’s workforce is very small, and progress is too slow. The issues should be sorted out and monitored; a full-time MD is needed, otherwise, the project will not take off anytime soon”.

Also read: Eye on Bengaluru ahead of Karnataka polls: Suburban rail project moving at a snail’s pace