In a move set to benefit thousands of daily commuters, the Coimbatore-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Express will now make a scheduled stop at Yelahanka railway station starting July 2026. The decision comes after sustained efforts by Chikkaballapur MP K Sudhakar, who formally requested the Indian Railways to consider additional stoppages for long-distance trains at Yelahanka, a key suburban hub in northern Bengaluru.
MP's Push for Better Connectivity
K Sudhakar, who represents the Chikkaballapur constituency, had written to the Railway Board and South Western Railway officials, emphasizing the growing passenger demand in the Yelahanka region. The area has seen rapid urbanization and an increase in residential and commercial establishments, making rail connectivity essential for daily travel to and from Bengaluru city center and beyond.
According to sources in the South Western Railway zone, the Coimbatore-LTT Express (Train No. 11013/11014) will be the first long-distance train to receive the Yelahanka halt. The train currently operates between Coimbatore Junction in Tamil Nadu and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai, covering key stations like Erode, Salem, and Bengaluru City. The new stop is expected to reduce travel time for passengers from Yelahanka and surrounding areas such as Yelahanka New Town, Jakkur, and Vidyaranyapura, who previously had to travel to Bengaluru City or Yesvantpur Junction to board this train.
Infrastructure Upgrades Sought
Beyond the train halt, K Sudhakar also urged the railways to expedite land acquisition for two critical road over bridge (ROB) projects: the Chikkabanavara-Gollahalli ROB and the Soladevanahalli ROB. These bridges are part of the infrastructure upgrades needed to ease road congestion at railway crossings in the northern suburbs. The MP pointed out that delays in land acquisition have stalled these projects for years, causing inconvenience to motorists and increasing traffic bottlenecks.
In his representation, Sudhakar highlighted that the Chikkabanavara-Gollahalli ROB would significantly improve connectivity between the rapidly developing areas of Chikkabanavara and Gollahalli, while the Soladevanahalli ROB would ease traffic on the busy Tumkur Road stretch. He requested the Railway Ministry to coordinate with the Karnataka government and the Bengaluru Development Authority to fast-track the land acquisition process.
Community Response
Local residents and commuter groups have welcomed the announcement. Yelahanka Railway Passengers Association secretary R. Narasimhamurthy said, "This halt will be a boon for daily travelers who work in Mumbai or travel to Coimbatore for business. We thank the MP for taking up this issue persistently." The association had been campaigning for more train stops at Yelahanka for over two years, citing the station's growing importance as a suburban rail hub.
Broader Impact
The inclusion of Yelahanka as a halt for the Coimbatore-LTT Express is expected to increase passenger traffic at the station by an estimated 15-20%, according to railway officials. Yelahanka currently handles around 15,000 passengers daily, with most trains being MEMU and passenger services. The addition of a long-distance express train will provide direct connectivity to western India and Tamil Nadu, reducing the need for transfers at major junctions.
Railway sources also indicated that more trains might be considered for stoppages at Yelahanka in the future, subject to infrastructure readiness and operational feasibility. The station has three platforms and is undergoing modernization under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with upgrades including better waiting rooms, signage, and parking facilities.
Timeline and Next Steps
The halt for the Coimbatore-LTT Express is expected to be operational from the first week of July 2026, pending final approval from the Railway Board. The exact schedule and duration of the stop will be announced once the train's timetable is revised. Meanwhile, the MP has assured that he will continue to follow up on the land acquisition for the ROBs, which are vital for decongesting the area.
