Airport railway station begins operations, to benefit travelers, 25,000 airport staff

BENGALURU: The railway authorities on Monday kicked off the Halt Station for the users of the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The BIAL has built the station in keeping with the overall aesthetics and landscaping theme of the international airport.

The station is located on the north-west corner of the airport campus and is built on an existing track that connects Yeshwantpura and Chikkaballapura. The activation of the suburban rail service on this route will offer a fast and economical commuting option for passengers and benefit a section of the airport workforce of about 25,000 people, the Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) said in a press release.

The Halt Station, with a 230-metre-long platform – will be connected to various parts of the airport by a shuttle bus service, managed and operated by BIAL. The timing and frequency of the shuttle service will be synchronised with the train timings, the release added.



The station has a booking counter, concourse area, rest rooms with provision for passengers with reduced mobility, granite benches for seating and drinking water facilities. Based on usage and acceptance, the facility will be upgraded over time to cater to the travel needs of the public and employees.

The joint effort of the Indian Railways and BIAL is focused on promoting rail-based transport by reviewing the schedule of existing trains and the introduction of additional services to suit peak hours of flights and working hours of airport employees. While the airport employees are more likely to use this service initially, it is expected to gain acceptance among air passengers, as well. The railways is exploring options to increase the frequency of the trains by operating trains from Yelahanka, Yeshwanthpura, KSR Majestic station and Whitefield. With fares to the airport Halt Station as low as ?10 for passenger trains and ?30 for express trains, this service is expected to serve an important need, the press release said.



In 2014, BIAL, in collaboration with the Railway authorities, proposed the establishment of a suburban rail service to the international airport to the state government, recommending a halt station on the existing line that connects Yeshwanthpura to Devanahalli.


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