The Bengaluru Cantonment railway station redevelopment has reached 82.5% completion and is expected to open to passengers within the next three to four months, according to Southwest Railway officials and Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna. The project is adding passenger facilities, expanded platforms, new access points and multimodal connectivity while retaining the station’s historic character.
The station’s exterior is being designed with elements inspired by Karnataka’s traditional sitar, while floral artwork on its columns is intended to reflect Bengaluru’s identity as the Garden City. Railway authorities are also retaining historical and heritage features of the station while introducing modern passenger infrastructure.
A large roof plaza is being constructed over the platforms. Besides providing shade, it will include space for commercial activity, round-the-clock retail outlets, a food court and entertainment facilities. The station will also have a fully air-conditioned concourse lounge measuring 216 metres, designed to provide passengers with seating and waiting space.
Separate routes for arriving and departing passengers are being developed to reduce crowding. A basement, ground floor and five upper floors will form a multi-level parking facility capable of accommodating more than 1,000 cars and two-wheelers. New entrances are being created from the Vasanth Nagar and Millers Road sides in addition to the existing access points.
The redevelopment includes accessibility features such as Braille maps, ramps, automatic lifts and escalators. Railway officials said these facilities are being planned to improve access for passengers with disabilities and make movement through the station more organised.
The station’s platform capacity has also been expanded. It previously had four platforms, of which only three could accommodate full-length 24-coach trains. Four additional platforms have been added, taking the number of full-length platforms to seven. The new platforms are being used separately for Vande Bharat Express services operating towards Coimbatore and Madurai, as well as MEMU suburban trains. The older platforms will continue to handle other mail and express services.
Construction of the third foot overbridge is under way, with stairs completed for platforms 2/3, 1/1A and 1D/1E. Installation of escalators and lifts is in progress. The second foot overbridge is 68% complete, while the first is 47% complete.
The south-side station building is 94% complete, with its reinforced concrete structure finished. Work on the south-side basement and circulation area is 20% complete. The north-side station building is 69% complete, while its reinforced concrete structure is 98% complete. Flooring, finishing, lifts, escalators, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, and plumbing work have been completed in several areas. Façade design, interior painting, false ceilings, artwork and signage are still under construction.
The project is also being developed with energy and water systems intended to reduce the station’s operational footprint. A solar roof, rainwater harvesting system and sewage treatment plant are being installed. Bengaluru divisional railway manager Ashutosh Kumar Singh said the station requires 3.11 lakh units of electricity a month, while rooftop solar panels with a capacity of 1,852 kilowatts are expected to generate 2.25 lakh units monthly, meeting about 72% of the station’s requirement.
The station began operations for British military use in 1862 and was opened to the public in 1864. Its redevelopment was approved as part of Indian Railways’ station redevelopment programme, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone in June 2022. Construction began in May 2023.
Somanna said the station is a key centre in Karnataka’s railway network and that its heritage character is being preserved during the modernisation. He also said connectivity with the upcoming Namma Metro Pink Line, which passes through Cantonment, is being improved. Work on the Cantonment–Whitefield four-lane project is also in progress, according to the minister. The railway authorities’ next milestone is completion of the remaining building, circulation, façade and foot overbridge works before the station is opened to the public.
