Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna on Monday announced that the Centre intends to develop quadruple railway lines connecting Bengaluru with all major cities within a 100-km radius, while also flagging a proposed four-track corridor stretching to the port city of Mangaluru. The announcement was made after Somanna inaugurated a newly constructed Road Over Bridge (ROB) near Elekere in Channapatna taluk, Karnataka.

Key Announcements

Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil, who accompanied Somanna, placed a series of demands before the Railway Ministry — seeking quadruple lines connecting Bengaluru with Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hindupur via Gauribidanur, and Kolar. Somanna responded positively, confirming that the survey for the Bengaluru–Tumakuru quadruple railway line has already been completed and that the tender process will begin shortly.

'Our intention is to complete the Bengaluru–Tumakuru quadruple railway project within the next one-and-a-half to two years. We have also decided to conduct a survey for the proposed Bengaluru–Mysuru quadruple railway line,' Somanna said.

Bengaluru–Kolar and Mangaluru Connectivity

Somanna assured that a direct railway connection between Bengaluru and Kolar would be facilitated by extending the existing four-track line beyond Whitefield, with the Central government undertaking the required land acquisition. On the Bengaluru–Mangaluru corridor, he called the proposal — which includes a parallel road and rail route between Sakleshpur and Gundya — 'practical' and said it deserved serious consideration. 'A quadruple railway line between Bengaluru and the port city of Mangaluru is necessary,' he said, adding that the project is among their priorities for its economic and logistical value.

Vande Bharat Sleeper and Other Proposals

In a separate announcement, Somanna said the long-pending demand for a Vande Bharat Sleeper train to Vijayapura is likely to be fulfilled within the next three to four months. 'We are considering operating a Vande Bharat Sleeper service instead of the regular Vande Bharat train, and a decision will be taken shortly,' he said. He also confirmed that the special train currently running twice a week between Bengaluru and Vijayapura would be made a permanent service.

Somanna also responded positively to the proposal for a high-speed rail link connecting Bengaluru with Mumbai via Pune, calling it appropriate and pledging efforts to realise it. Additionally, he said the proposal to double the existing single railway line on the Tumakuru–Chitradurga–Davanagere route would be considered.

Ground Inspection and Officials Present

Earlier in the day, Somanna and Patil travelled from Bengaluru to Channapatna aboard a Self-Propelled Inspection Car (SPIC), during which Patil submitted a memorandum outlining Karnataka's railway requirements. The two ministers also inspected the ongoing construction of the railway underbridge at Ramohalli near Kumbalagodu, directing officials to ensure proper drainage and expedite completion.

The event was attended by Bengaluru Rural MP C.N. Manjunath, MLA C.P. Yogeshwar, Bengaluru South Deputy Commissioner Yashavanth Gurikar, South Western Railway Chief Administrative Officer A.K. Gupta, Additional Divisional Railway Manager Praveen Katarki, Joint Secretary of the Infrastructure Department Chandrashekar, and other senior officials.

With surveys already underway and tenders imminent on the Tumakuru corridor, the pace of implementation over the next two years will be the real measure of these commitments.