A major breakthrough for Bengaluru’s ambitious Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) has occurred in Yelahanka. Officials have successfully cleared a significant land encroachment valued at approximately ₹40 crore, located on railway land adjacent to Survey No. 2 of Peenya Plantation village. This reclaimed land is vital for the development of Corridor-2 of the BSRP.
During a thorough joint site inspection, conducted by the Assistant Directors of Land Records for Bengaluru North and Yelahanka Taluks, it was confirmed that nearly 500 meters of railway road land, spanning 20 guntas between Makala Channenahalli and Peenya Plantation villages, had been illegally occupied. “This crucial 2,000 sq. m stretch is estimated to be worth around ₹40 crore,” an official reported.
The eviction operation was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner’s office, alongside Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company (K-RIDE) officials on September 20. “The entire process was meticulously overseen by the Special Deputy Commissioner of K-RIDE, Tahsildars from K-RIDE, Yelahanka, and Bengaluru North Taluks, representatives from the Land Records Department, the General Manager of Corridor-2, along with personnel from the Railway Department and the Jalahalli Police,” an official stated.
Even representatives from Bagmane Developers were present during the briefing on the encroachment, after which the land was promptly cleared.
Following this successful clearance, K-RIDE and Railway officials diligently installed boundary stones, formally transferring the land to K-RIDE to kickstart the construction of this critical corridor.
“This decisive action to clear the encroachment is a crucial step to ensure the uninterrupted progress of the suburban rail project. Corridor-2 is designed to offer essential connectivity, and safeguarding railway land from illegal occupation is paramount for its timely delivery,” emphasized a senior K-RIDE official.
The 148-km Bengaluru suburban rail network, initially approved in October 2020, was envisioned for a phased completion by October 2023, well ahead of its final October 2026 deadline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the foundation stone laying ceremony in June 2022, had assured residents that the four-decade-long wait for this project would end within 40 months.
However, the project’s progress has unfortunately remained sluggish. A significant setback occurred just last month when Larsen & Toubro (L&T) withdrew from contracts for two vital corridors—Chikkabanavara to Bennigenahalli and Heelalige to Rajankunte—citing persistent challenges and execution delays.