At present, Bengaluru is served by three major railway terminals KSR Bengaluru City, Yeswantpur, and Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal at Byappanahalli. The Yelahanka terminal, if sanctioned, will become the fourth major rail gateway to the city.
The terminal was initially proposed at Devanahalli, closer to the international airport, but was later shifted to Yelahanka to make use of available railway land. The new site also offers better integration possibilities with existing rail and Metro infrastructure.
Airport-Style, Multi-Level Design
According to senior SWR officials, the terminal is planned as an airport-like, multi-level structure spread across nearly 20 acres. Of this, around 15 acres will be drawn from the Rail Wheel Factory (RWF) land in Yelahanka, while the remaining area may include private land, existing station yards, and railway staff quarters.
The design includes five vertical levels a basement, ground floor, and three upper levels. Train tracks will operate at the basement and ground levels, making this the first instance in India where railway tracks themselves are elevated as part of a coaching terminal.
High Capacity and Modern Facilities
The proposed terminal may have up to 16 platforms, significantly higher than the current five platforms at Yelahanka station. Plans also include 10 stabling lines and 15 pit lines to support large-scale train operations.
Officials say the terminal will feature modern passenger amenities, large concourses, ticketing zones, waiting lounges, and commercial spaces designed to generate non-fare revenue.
Why Vertical Development?
Railway authorities say the push for vertical development is driven by Bengaluru’s soaring land costs. In a dense urban environment, expanding horizontally is no longer viable.
“In a city like Bengaluru, vertical development makes far more sense. This approach allows us to maximise land use while integrating commercial development for revenue generation,” an SWR official explained.
Metro Connectivity and Traffic Management
The Yelahanka terminal is expected to be seamlessly integrated with the upcoming Kogilu Cross Metro station on the Blue Line. An elevated road connection is also planned, with the main station entry proposed from the Yelahanka–Doddaballapur highway.
Passenger movement inside the terminal will be fully segregated. Arriving and departing passengers will use different levels, ensuring smooth, unidirectional flow and reducing congestion a common problem at traditional railway stations.
₹6,000 Crore Investment, PPP Model Likely
The estimated cost of the project is around ₹6,000 crore. Railway officials said the terminal may be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) or Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model.
The proposal has been submitted to the Railway Board and is currently awaiting approvals. The Bengaluru Divisional Railway Manager has clarified that the project is still at a preliminary stage and yet to receive formal sanction.
Future-Ready Infrastructure for North Bengaluru
With rapid urbanisation, tech parks, and residential development transforming north Bengaluru, officials believe the Yelahanka terminal will play a crucial role in managing future passenger traffic.
If approved, the project could redefine railway station architecture in India, setting a template for space-efficient, high-capacity rail infrastructure in other metropolitan regions.