Bengaluru Cantonment Railway Station, code-named ‘BNC’ is Bengaluru’s oldest railway station. Recently in November, it turned 160 years old. Officials from South Western Railway (SWR), who now manages the railway station had proposed for the station to be remodelled into a world-class airport-like terminal. BNC is said to add three additional lines, which would enable the operation of more trains to and from the station, these new lines will be laid to reduce the stress on Bengaluru City Railway station.
Image Courtesy: Times of India
#Bengaluru Cantonment railway station set for makeover. #NayeBharatKaNayaStation
.@RailMinIndia https://t.co/cS083lBtHv— South Western Railway (@SWRRLY) December 17, 2022
Phase 1 construction
BNC is said to be redeveloped in the next three years which will help strengthen the suburban railway network in the city. The remodelling of the station will be done in two phases at a cost of 525 crores. The first phase will include remodelling of the station yards that include the construction of two new island platforms, effectively adding four additional platforms and three new lines to enhance the connectivity and reachability to KSR Railway Station and ease public movement. The remodelled yard would be integrated with the quadrupled section between Bengaluru Cantonment and Whitefield for seamless suburban transportation. The first phase will be completed at a cost of 45 crores, estimated to be completed by February 2023.
The concept design of the front of the Bangalore Cantonment station. Image Courtesy: Deccan Herald
Phase 2 Construction
The commencement of the second phase will be focussing on making the railway station a world-class airport-like terminal. The construction will focus on conserving the existing historical heritage of the BNC while also focusing on redevelopment to bring in value-added glory to meet modern standards. This phase will add a fully air-conditioned 216-metre-wide concourse. The arrival and departure points will be constructed accordingly to avoid congestion and a five-storey multi-level parking facility will add to ease of movement. There will also be a roof plaza over the platforms which will be allotted for commercial activities such as retail outlets, food courts and an infotainment zone. The second phase is to be completed at a cost of 480 crores, which is estimated to be completed by December 2025.
The Letter of Acceptance (LoA) was awarded to Delhi-based Varindera Construction Pvt Ltd on the 12th of December. The project will be executed in engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) mode where the selected agency will plan and execute all the aspects of the project in the given 36-months period. Concern regarding the widening of the road for the project will be taken care of by the SWR, who will coordinate with the BBMP to widen the Cantonment Station Road.
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