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The long-awaited project to quadruple (add four tracks to) the railway line between Bengaluru and Tumakuru has now reached the land acquisition stage, marking another step toward improved connectivity between the two cities. The 70-kilometre-long project aims to reduce congestion on a busy route used by thousands of passengers daily. Further progress on this project will largely depend on the Government of Karnataka. 

On Saturday, the Ministry of Railways appointed three arbitrators to oversee the land acquisition process across the Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, and Tumakuru districts. The respective Regional Commissioners will serve as arbitrators, while the Special Land Acquisition Officers will act as the competent authorities. 

To expedite the process, the project has been designated as a 'Special Railway Project'. The final location survey has been completed, and notifications have been issued for 51 villages across the three districts. According to the South Western Railway (SWR), land acquisition is expected to commence in the coming months, though no definitive timeline has been announced yet. 

The SWR currently operates seven pairs of MEMU trains on this route, carrying approximately 18,000 passengers daily. The quadrupling project is expected to increase rail capacity and alleviate congestion on this busy corridor. This is also likely to enhance connectivity and make daily travel between Bengaluru and Tumakuru more convenient.