Bengaluru Suburban Rail and Metro to Share Corridor at Benniganahalli, Cost Savings Estimated at Up to Rs 169 Crore

Integrated Urban Mobility Initiative in Bengaluru

In an innovative move towards sustainable urban mobility, Bengaluru's suburban rail and Namma Metro have adopted a shared alignment at Benniganahalli in east Bengaluru. This integrated approach enables the two mass transit systems to operate within a common right of way, reducing land acquisition and project costs.

According to the Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-RIDE), the shared-corridor model allows the suburban rail's Kanaka Line viaduct to run directly beneath Namma Metro's Blue Line viaduct for about 500 metres near Benniganahalli flyover. The Kanaka Line, a 46-km corridor connecting Heelalige and Rajanukunte, and the Blue Line, which links KR Pura with Kempegowda International Airport, will benefit from this coordinated planning.

Land Acquisition Avoided

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The innovative alignment has helped avoid the acquisition of nearly 1.65 acres of premium residential land, according to K-RIDE. This also prevented the displacement of around 600 residents who would otherwise have been affected by the project. The shared-corridor model is estimated to have generated savings of between Rs 150 crore and Rs 169 crore.

Engineering Innovation

A key feature of the project is the integration of two different traction systems used by the suburban rail and metro networks. K-RIDE said the arrangement involving alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) traction systems was technically evaluated by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). This technical achievement is expected to serve as a model for future urban transport infrastructure projects, particularly in cities where land availability is limited and acquisition costs are high.

Coordinated Planning

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The project demonstrates how coordinated planning among multiple transit agencies can optimise infrastructure investments while minimising social and environmental impacts. K-RIDE has taken a significant step towards creating a sustainable urban mobility ecosystem in Bengaluru.

Fresh Tenders Floated for Corridor-4 Works

In a separate development, K-RIDE recently invited fresh tenders for key civil works on the Kanaka Line following the termination of contracts awarded earlier. For Corridor-4 Package-1, covering a 6.2-km at-grade section and a 3.6-km elevated viaduct between Benniganahalli and Jakkur. A separate engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tender for Corridor-4 Package-2, covering a 12.6-km section between Heelalige and Bellandur, was invited on May 13, 2026, with bids scheduled to be opened on June 30. The package has a completion period of 18 months.