Bengaluru-Mangaluru four-track rail corridor under consideration: Union Minister V Somanna

Bengaluru: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna has said the Centre is considering the development of a four-track railway line between Bengaluru and Mangaluru, while outlining plans to expand rail infrastructure across Karnataka.

Speaking at the inauguration of a road overbridge in Bengaluru, Somanna said similar four-track railway corridors would also be developed for cities within a 100-km radius of Bengaluru, according to a statement issued by the state's industries department.

The announcement came after Karnataka Industries Minister M.B. Patil raised several demands related to railway infrastructure in the state. Patil sought four-track railway lines connecting Bengaluru with Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hindupur via Gauribidanur, and Kolar.


Somanna, who represents Tumakuru in the Lok Sabha, said the survey for the Bengaluru-Tumakuru quadrupling project has been completed and the tendering process will begin shortly. The project is expected to be completed within 18-24 months.

He added that the Centre has also decided to undertake a survey for the proposed Bengaluru-Mysuru four-track railway line.

Responding to Patil's demand for improved rail connectivity to Kolar, Somanna said a direct rail link would be created by extending the existing four-track railway line beyond Whitefield. The Centre will undertake the required land acquisition for the project, he said.

Patil also pitched for faster rail connectivity between Bengaluru and the coastal city of Mangaluru, proposing a parallel road and railway corridor between Sakleshpur and Gundya to improve connectivity.

Calling the proposal "constructive", Somanna said a quadruple railway line between Bengaluru and Mangaluru was necessary and would be accorded priority. Better rail connectivity to the port city would deliver significant economic and logistical benefits, he said.

Somanna also said work on the Tumakuru-Chitradurga-Davanagere railway line is progressing at a fast pace. He added that Patil's request for doubling the line on the route would also be considered.

On Patil's request for a Vande Bharat Sleeper service to Vijayapura, Somanna said the train is expected to be introduced within the next three to four months. He said the Centre plans to introduce a Vande Bharat Sleeper, instead of the regular Vande Bharat service, and a formal decision will be taken shortly.

He also announced that the special twice-weekly train between Bengaluru and Vijayapura would be converted into a permanent service, while minor operational issues on the route would be addressed.

Referring to the proposed high-speed rail corridor between Bengaluru and Pune, Somanna said the demand was justified and efforts would be made to take the project forward, as it would connect the country's IT capital with its financial capital.

Bengaluru Rural MP C.N. Manjunath, Bengaluru South Deputy Commissioner Yashavantha Gurikar, South Western Railway Chief Administrative Officer A.K. Gupta, Additional Divisional Railway Manager Praveen Katarki, Infrastructure Department Joint Secretary Chandrashekhara and other senior officials attended the programme.