Rs 4,100-cr Bengaluru Airport Rail Link Gets SWR Approval

South Western Railway has approved the alignment for an 8.5-km rail link connecting Bengaluru city with Kempegowda International Airport, marking a key milestone for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project. The project is expected to significantly ease travel to the airport and reduce dependence on road-based transport.

The airport line will branch off the KSR Bengaluru–Devanahalli corridor, also known as the Sampige Line, and terminate between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the airport. Of the total length, about 5.5 km will be constructed as an elevated track, while the remaining 3.5 km within the airport premises will be developed as a tunnel section, ensuring minimal surface disruption.

Four stations have been planned along the corridor: BK Halli, KIADB Aerospace Park, Airport City and Airport Terminal. These stations are expected to serve not only air passengers but also employees working in the aerospace, logistics and commercial zones surrounding the airport. The alignment has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the broader suburban rail network.

The project is estimated to cost around Rs 4,100 crore and is targeted for completion by March 2030. While Bangalore International Airport Limited will not be funding the project, efforts are underway to mobilise financial support from the Karnataka government and Indian Railways. Officials have indicated that funding discussions are progressing alongside detailed planning.

Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprise, the special purpose vehicle implementing the suburban rail project, said planning for stations within the airport area is advancing steadily. According to Managing Director Lakshman Singh, land acquisition is expected to be completed within a year, which would allow construction activities to gather pace.

Once operational, the rail link is expected to transform airport access in Bengaluru by offering a faster, more reliable and environmentally sustainable travel option. Urban transport experts believe the project will also boost real estate and commercial development along the corridor, reinforcing the role of suburban rail as a backbone of the city’s future mobility plan.