Bengaluru: Work on the much delayed Byappanahalli-Hosur track doubling project has finally nearing completion. Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Limited (K-Ride), the implementing agency of the project has confirmed that the 89% of physical works have been completed.K-Ride stated that the project is now in its final phase and has achieved significant progress already. The railway board had sanctioned the doubling of tracks between Byappanahalli and Hosur in Tamil Nadu in 2018-19. But almost eight years down the line the project is yet to be completed and has already incurred Rs 190 Crores more than what was originally planned.The 48-km long doubling was handed to KRide almost 6 years ago in 2020. Currently only 14km, roughly 30% has been commissioned. Along the rail-under bridge (RUB), near Chandapura, a critical structure part of the project, a 61-meter open web girder is scheduled to be launched next month.“Following completion of the bridge works, the remaining track linking, electrification, signalling and telecommunication works will be taken up, enabling the Heelalige–Anekal section to be readied for commissioning”, the agency revealed.Speaking to TOI K-Ride managing director Lakshman Singh stated that track lining is almost nearing completion. “There are still finishing touches pending, it will take some time. Next we are planning to commission the Heelalige Anekal section by January 2027”, he explained.While the budget for the project has significantly increased, officials say that it has now gotten better facilities than what was initially planned Currently, 9.7 kilometers of track between Byappanahalli and Bellandur Road remain to be commissioned along with 24.5 kilometers between Heelalige and Hosur. Full completion is expected by early next year.
