BIAL to build halt station near Ballari road flyover

Bengaluru: The Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) is drawing up a plan to build a railway halt station near the trumpet flyover on Ballari Road. The project, scheduled to be ready by the year-end, is expected to offer a faster and cheaper commuting option to many people, including airport employees and air passengers.

“The BIAL intends to make use of the existing railway line by constructing a new station that could cater to the travel needs of the people. The proposed station will be a halt station with all basic passenger amenities. Initially, the station will have station building, toilet and drinking water facility, etc,” a BIAL statement said in response to an email query from the ET.

Currently, the railway line to Chikkaballapur via Yelahanka passes through the north-west boundary of the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). As the proposed halt station is expected to be about five km away from the terminal, BIAL said it will operate a shuttle bus service to the airport. “Until the Metro connects to the Bengaluru airport, suburban rail services will play a crucial role in improving local connectivity. It will not only provide air passengers with a seamless journey to the airport but also help employees of companies located in and around the airport,” said a BIAL spokesperson.

A senior railway official said the halt station is a temporary solution. “As the railway line consists of only a single track, not many services can be operated on this stretch. We do not know how many people will use the halt station, but it will definitely be of help. Our long-term plan is to build a dedicated railway track up to the airport terminal. The proposal is at an advanced stage of implementation,” the officer, who requested anonymity, said.