New developments in the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project highlight its sluggish pace.
Story so far: The cast of the test pile for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) on the Outer Ring Road has reportedly wrapped up. Two tranches on the 25 km Mallige Line saw a push last month. The first test pile was cast near the Hebbal Railway station last month. The foundation stone to mark the demise of a Railway Level Crossing (LC) gate at Nagawara was hastily accomplished too.
- The freshly cast pile will be tested soon. It’s a skeletal scaffolding surrounded by a reinforcement cage.
- While the Railway land has been handed over to Larsen & Toubro, the project contractors, the conglomerate is yet to acquire private lands. It’s stalling the project’s progress.
Why it matters? Work on the Chikkabanavar-Baiyappanahalli Line (Corridor-2), a ₹15,767 crore project, has been undeniably sluggish. It’s unlikely to meet the 2026 deadline. The BSRP’s KSR Bengaluru-Devanahalli and Kengeri-Cantonment-Whitefield lines are still awaiting tenders.