Fri Sep 05 07:27:08 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Bengaluru faces a railway infrastructure crisis due to a sharp rise in long-distance train and passenger traffic. The city’s three existing terminals are insufficient to meet demand. Plans for a fourth terminal at Devanahalli have stalled due to track curvature and land acquisition issues. An alternative location within the Rail Wheel Factory (RWF) at Yelahanka is being considered but may face environmental concerns. The Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) at Baiyappanahalli has also failed to accommodate more trains from the KSR and Yeswanthpur terminals. A second terminal at Yeswanthpur has been on the agenda since 2019. Experts emphasize the need for adequate track length and efficient entry/exit points for new terminals to maximize capacity.
**News Article:**
**Bengaluru’s Rail Crisis: Fourth Terminal Location in Limbo Amid Environmental Concerns**
**Bengaluru, September 5, 2025** – Bengaluru’s railway infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the surging demand for long-distance train travel, prompting authorities to search for a viable location for a fourth terminal. With passenger traffic hitting 212 million in 2024-25, the city’s existing terminals at KSR Bengaluru, Yeswanthpur, and SMVT at Baiyappanahalli are overwhelmed, straining the 12 available pit lines.
Initial plans for a terminal at Devanahalli have been hampered by complex track alignments and land acquisition challenges. Now, South Western Railways (SWR) is eyeing an alternative within the Rail Wheel Factory (RWF) at Yelahanka. However, this proposal faces potential environmental hurdles, as the land in question lies between Puttenahalli lake and Yelahanka Kere and may be classified as a wetland.
“The Yelahanka location could regulate train movements within the city,” says urban rail activist Rajkumar Dugar.
Railway officials remain tight-lipped about the details, citing prematureness to comment.
Experts emphasize the importance of efficient track infrastructure for any new terminal. Railway analyst Sanjeev Dyamannavar warns that without adequate track length and seamless entry/exit points, even multiple platforms will struggle to increase train frequency.
The underperformance of the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) at Baiyappanahalli further complicates the situation. SMVT’s limited track length restricts train entry and exit, hindering its capacity to alleviate congestion at KSR and Yeswanthpur terminals.
The Railway Board is expected to decide on a suitable location for the fourth terminal in the coming months. The delay adds to the challenges of passengers needing to commute via train.
First Piper 