Bengaluru Set to Welcome Massive New Railway Terminal to Ease Congestion and Meet Soaring Passenger Demand

Bengaluru’s ever-growing railway demand is one step closer to relief as plans for a fourth railway terminal gather momentum. The South Western Railway (SWR) has sanctioned a Final Location Survey (FLS), a critical step in bringing the ambitious project to life. With an estimated cost of ₹1.35 crore, the survey will determine the most viable location for the new terminal, with proposed sites ranging from Devanahalli station to the broader Yelahanka-Devanahalli-Chikkaballapur corridor.

The proposed terminal is poised to become a game-changer for the city’s overcrowded railway system, which is currently stretched thin. While the recently inaugurated SMVT Bengaluru terminal has added some capacity, Bengaluru's three major terminals—KSR Bengaluru, Yeshwantpur, and SMVT—are already handling a massive daily load: 140 originating, 139 terminating, and 142 pass-through trains, along with 110 trains that require primary maintenance.

With over 212 million railway passengers served in the last year alone—more than half of whom were originating passengers—Bengaluru’s existing infrastructure is struggling to keep up. Projections suggest that 210 trains will soon originate from the city, putting additional strain on an already saturated system.

The proposed terminal will not only ease congestion but also address a number of operational challenges plaguing the city’s railway network. These include overused pit lines, jam-packed platforms, frequent delays, and inefficient empty rake movements due to limited stabling space. Compounding the issue is the lack of a dedicated goods corridor and the difficulty of expanding existing terminals due to dense urban development.

To address this, the SWR has hired a consultant to carry out the land survey, with early plans pointing to a sprawling 1,000-acre site near Bullahalli and KG Gururayanahosuru villages, close to Venkatagiri Kote Halt station, roughly 50 kilometers from the city center. The terminal is projected to cost around ₹1,500 crore.

Designed to be a full-scale modern railway hub, the facility will feature 16 platforms, 12 pit lines, five washing lines equipped with advanced cleaning technology, 24 stabling lines, multiple repair bays, and comprehensive administrative infrastructure. Once operational, the terminal is expected to handle up to 36 trains per day, easing pressure across the city’s entire railway ecosystem and setting the stage for smoother, more efficient travel for millions.