PM sets ground for Bengaluru Cantonment Railway Station redevelopment

On June 20, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the commencement of the Bengaluru Cantonment Railway station's redevelopment project. This significant station is undergoing a transformation into a world-class building, with an estimated cost of Rs 4.8 billion.

As part of the redevelopment process, preliminary work is currently underway. This includes the demolition of existing service buildings to construct a 24-meter diversion road. The purpose of this road is to create additional space in front of the station building and expand the circulating area, ensuring smoother traffic movement. The South Western Railway (SWR) has collaborated closely with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to widen the road and facilitate hassle-free traffic flow.

The project will be executed in the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode, similar to a turn-key basis. The contract for the project has been awarded to Varindera Construction. Currently, the preparation of structural drawings is underway. To ensure technical expertise, an expert team led by Associate Professor N M Anoop Krishnan from IIT Delhi has been engaged for consultancy. The identification and relocation of utilities such as cables and electric transformers are also in progress. A dedicated site office has been established, where engineers are working tirelessly day and night to ensure the project's timely completion. Additionally, the contractor has set up a batching plant at the site for the production of ready-mix concrete. The project is scheduled to be completed by October 2025.

It is planned to preserve the heritage structure of the existing station building, emphasising the importance of conserving its historical significance.