Bengaluru: In order to increase suburban rail services between Baiyappanahalli and Whitefield, the South Western Railway has decided to increase the length of the platforms at Baiyappanahalli station.This will help SWR provide stoppage for more trains at the station.
The residents of Whitefield have been demanding an increase in train stoppages at Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield between 6 pm and 10 pm.
In response to a letter by citizen groups, the Divisional Railway Manager, R.S. Saxena, explained that many trains stop at Baiyappanahalli, but not at Whitefield or vice versa. SWR has identified five more trains that can have stoppages at both the stations, but the platform length at Baiyappanahalli station was not adequate.
Some trains run with 24 coaches and the platforms are inadequate. The expansion of platform 1 and 2 at Baiyappanahalli Railway station is on and is likely to get over by March, Saxena assured in his letter. Once the work is over five more trains will have stoppages at these two stations, he added.
The train identified for stoppages are Chennai-Bengaluru SF Express and Bangarpet-Bengaluru Express that currently stop only at Whitefield; Lalbagh Express, Sanghamitra SF Express and Tiirupati-Bengaluru Tri weekly Express that currently do not halt at either stations.
As per the DRM, a proposal has been sent to the headquarters for additional stoppages. Currently there are 10 suburban trains running between 6 pm and 10 pm on Baiyappanahalli- KR Puram-Hoodi- Whitefield section, but only three stop at both the stations.
Double line
Additionly, proposals have been sent to Railway board for doubling and electrification of the 21-km Yeshwanthpur-Baiyappanahalli line and 48-km Baiyappanahalli-Hosur line.
Hoodi foot over bridge
The much delayed Hoodi foot over bridge that was to be built within four months after the inauguration of Hoodi halt station on September 2016 and is expected to get ready on June 30.
