If all goes well, commuting from the Bengaluru city to Kempegowda International Airport could take just an hour and also be hassle-free as the airport operator, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), and the South Western Railway (SWR) authorities are actively considering a halt for trains that pass through Devanahalli. After alighting from the train at a ‘halt’ near the airport, passengers should be able to walk to the airport. At a press meet here on Tuesday, Bhaskar B., Senior Director – Finance and Support Services, BIAL, said there is 4,000 acres of land within the KIA compound where a railway station can be constructed. The land is three kilometres away from the trumpet interchange (road leading to the airport). “We have no problem providing land for the railway station,” he added.
This was a response to Anil Kumar Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, South Western Railway, Bengaluru, who said Railways wants a ‘halt station’ close to the airport. If a halt is provided near the airport, it will benefit passengers from other cities in Karnataka such as Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi and Tumakuru. At present, they alight at the Bengaluru City Railway Station and then proceed to the airport by road that is choked with traffic.
Anup Dayanand Sadhu, Senior Divisional Manager (Commercial), Bengaluru, SWR, said BIAL authorities will first have to send a proposal about construction of a railway station near the airport to the South Western Railway. Once that is approved, the modalities will have to be worked out.
