Year Later, Baiyappanahalli Railway Station Plan Finalised

By S Lalitha   Published: 17th February 2016 

According to the plan, the Baiyappanahalli railway station is set to have 13 lines  Bheemarao

BENGALURU: After nearly a year of deliberations, the final plan to transform Baiyappanahalli railway station into a third coaching-terminal for Bengaluru is ready and okayed. This assumes significance since it could help decongest the City railway station and Yeshwantpur railway station when completed.

Speaking to Express, a top South Western Railway official said the plan envisages having 13 railway lines in the station. “It will have four platform lines, two run-through lines (where trains, particularly goods trains can rush through non-stop), five stabling lines and two pitlines.” Stabling lines are where trains are stationed when not running and pitlines are used to carry out maintenance of coaches.

Two Foot-Over-Bridges will also be constructed here, which would connect all the four platforms of the station. The total available space at the station is 50,000 square metres. “The station will also have enough parking space to house 200 cars and an equal number of vehicles,” the official said.

The Railway budget of 2015-2016 had sanctioned a sum of Rs 114 crore for developing the station. “We will call for tenders now. Work will start in May this year and will be completed within three years,” he said.

When completed, trains bound to Tamil Nadu can terminate here and this would take a huge load off the city railway station, the official added. A total of 35 trains pass through this small station off Old Madras Road presently.

On the help sought from the Chinese, the official said the design and development of the station will be their responsibility. “Their job is to transform Baiyappanahalli into a world-class railway station. Our focus is to ensure the running and maintenance of trains here,” he said.

When asked about the reasons behind nearly a year’s time taken to finalise the plan, the official said that much planning goes into readying a coaching terminal. “Much study goes into it, various departments are involved and many experts need to be consulted. So many inputs are taken before the final plan is ready,” he stated.