Bengaluru to likely get Namo Bharat trains to boost regional connectivity

Bengaluru is likely to have a major leap in regional mobility, with plans to introduce semi-high-speed Namo Bharat trains linking Bengaluru to Kolar, Tumakuru, Mysuru, and Hosur. The initiative follows discussions between the State Government and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) to establish a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) similar to the one operational in the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.

According to senior officials, the NCRTC has proposed developing four Namo Bharat corridors radiating from Bengaluru: Bengaluru–Hoskote–Kolar (65 km), Bengaluru–Mysuru (145 km), Bengaluru–Tumakuru (60 km), and Bengaluru–Hosur–Krishnagiri–Dharmapuri (138 km), the last of which will extend into Tamil Nadu.

A team of Karnataka officials recently visited the NCRTC headquarters in New Delhi to hold preliminary discussions on the project’s feasibility, alignment, and technical design.

Key feature

The Namo Bharat system, which allows trains to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, is envisioned as a fast, frequent, and comfortable mode of transport for daily intercity commuters, according to officials. “The RRTS trains, designed for a top speed of 180 km/h, differ from both metro and conventional rail services; they have fewer stops than metro trains but operate more frequently than long-distance trains and do not require advance reservations,” official said.

An official familiar with the project said the proposed corridors could operate services every 15 minutes, with the frequency increasing to every five minutes during peak hours. “The RRTS represents a modern, world-class solution for regional mobility and could play a significant role in decongesting Bengaluru, alongside the ongoing suburban rail network,” the official added.