After Sir MV terminal at Byappanahalli and Cantonment railway station, Yeshwantpur is likely to be the third terminal in Bengalore offering airport-like facilities. While train services from the Rs 314-crore Sir MV terminal commenced on June 6, the railways recently invited a Rs 442-crore tender for upgrading Cantonment station. South Western Railway (SWR) officials said the 130-year-old Yeshwantpur station — the second busiest rail terminal in the city — will be redeveloped at a cost of around Rs 400 crore and an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) tender will be invited soon.
Yeshwantpur station has been operational since 1892. “It will be a state-of-the-art centrally air-conditioned railway terminal and will have segregated arrival and departure lounges. There will be modern waiting areas for passengers along with retail spaces, similar to airports,” said an SWR official. “It will be a green station with facilities such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting system and sewerage treatment plant.”
The station is likely to be integrated with two suburban rail corridors: Byappanahalli-Chikkabanavara and KSR Bengaluru CityDevanahalli. At present, 77 passenger trains operate from Yeshwantpur and it sees a daily footfall of around 8,500.
“We have roped in a technical consultant and will decide whether to fully or partially demolish the station building,” an official said. Redeveloped already Last year, SWR took up a Rs 12-crore redevelopment project for the same station. Now, it is equipped with a slew of upgraded facilities — roofing, landscaping, improved common and parking areas, wider approach road, better resting places, and a bus bay. Some passengers are unhappy with the new redevelopment plan.
“They have already spent Rs 12 crore on a makeover for this station, but the roofing is ineffective, rain or shine. Instead of spending taxpayers’ money on one station for fancy projects, they should provide basic facilities at the smaller stations,” said Anil G, a regular passenger at Yeshwantpur. In 2017, the railways had plans to redevelop 20 acres at Yeshwantpur station under PPP model, but the project was shelved after there were no takers.
PM to unveil slew of rail projects on June 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Bengaluru suburban rail project and the redevelopment of Yeshwantpur and Cantonment railway stations on June 20. He will also dedicate the Sir MV terminal to the nation and lay the foundation stone for a new rail coaching complex at Naganahalli in Mysuru.