South Western Railway has proposed an airport-style coaching terminal in Yelahanka, north Bengaluru, inspired by China’s Hangzhou railway station, according to a report. If approved, the project would become the city’s fourth major railway terminal, alongside KSR Bengaluru City, Yeswantpur and Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal at Byappanahalli.

The proposed terminal will be developed across nearly 20 acres, primarily on land owned by the Railway Wheel Factory, along with smaller parcels of private land, the existing Yelahanka station yard and nearby railway staff quarters. While the current Yelahanka station has five platforms, the new terminal is designed to accommodate up to 16 platforms, supported by 10 stabling lines and 15 pit lines, significantly enhancing rail handling capacity in north Bengaluru.

The fourth terminal was earlier planned at Devanahalli but was later shifted to Yelahanka to optimise the use of available railway land. According to senior South Western Railway officials, the project is envisioned as India’s first fully elevated railway terminal, featuring an airport-like, multi-level design. The structure will include a basement, ground floor and three upper levels, housing a concourse, mezzanine areas and passenger platforms, with train tracks running at the basement and ground-floor levels.

Railway officials said the emphasis on vertical development reflects Bengaluru’s high land costs and dense urban environment. The project also explores commercial development within the terminal to generate additional revenue, marking the first instance where railway tracks themselves are proposed to be elevated in such a configuration.

Passenger movement forms a key part of the design, with separate circulation paths for arrivals and departures to ensure unidirectional flow and reduce congestion. Under the plan, arriving passengers will alight at a lower level and exit through the basement, while departing travellers will enter via a concourse offering access to ticketing, waiting areas and platforms.

The terminal is proposed to be integrated with the upcoming Blue Line Metro at Kogilu Cross and linked through an elevated road, with the main entry planned from the Yelahanka–Doddaballapur highway. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 60 billion and is likely to be executed through a public-private partnership or DBFOT model, subject to approvals.

Officials noted that the proposal is still at a preliminary stage and awaits sanction from the Railway Board. However, they underlined the need for a mega terminal to cater to Bengaluru’s growing passenger traffic, despite the challenges posed by high land values in the city.