Railways approves survey for mega terminal at Devanahalli to decongest Bengaluru’s rail network

To address congestion in Bengaluru’s railway infrastructure, the Railway Board has approved a final location survey (FLS) for a proposed mega coaching terminal near Devanahalli.

To address congestion in Bengaluru’s railway infrastructure, the Railway Board has approved a final location survey (FLS) for a proposed mega coaching terminal near Devanahalli.

According to a release by South Western Railway (SWR), the survey, sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹1.35 crore, is a strategic initiative aimed at decongesting Bengaluru’s saturated railway infrastructure and meeting the rising demand for passenger services in the region.

The terminal is expected to be located along the Yelahanka–Devanahalli–Chickballapur corridor and will serve as the city’s fourth major coaching terminal, stated the release.

Explaining the need for the terminal, SWR said that with a population of around 11.5 million, Bengaluru ranks as India’s fifth most populous metro. “Its railway system currently operates with just three terminals and 12 pit lines, handling 140 originating, 139 terminating, and 142 pass-through trains daily, along with 110 primary maintenance trains. In 2024–25, the city is witnessed 103.72 million originating passengers and a total footfall of 212.06 million. Existing terminals - KSR Bengaluru, Yeshwantpur, and SMVT Bengaluru — are already stretched, and future projections of 210 originating trains per day could overwhelm the system,” the release added.

“The network faces multiple operational bottlenecks: fully utilised pit lines, overcrowded platforms, frequent train delays, high empty rake movements owing to insufficient stabling lines, and no dedicated goods corridor. Urban density has made expansion at existing sites nearly impossible. While short-term steps like train rerouting and terminal shifts have been implemented, long-term solutions are crucial,” the release said.

The Devanahalli terminal will be a full-fledged facility with 12 pit lines, five automatic coach washing lines, 24 stabling lines, heavy repair bays, wheel lathe lines, sick lines, and other supporting infrastructure including loco bays and administrative facilities. It will be designed to handle 36 rakes per day, according to release.