Sir M. Visvesvaraya terminal to finally begin operations from June 6

Initially, SWR will operate three pairs of trains from the point

After a long wait of over a year, the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal at Baiyappanahalli (SMVB) will finally be opened for commercial operations from June 6.

Initially, the South Western Railway (SWR) will start operating three pairs of trains from the point. They are Ernakulam–SMVB (train number 12683/12684), Kochuveli–SMVB Express (16319/16320) and Patna-MVB (22353/22354).

Divisional Railway Manager Shyam Singh told The Hindu that operations of three pairs of trains will be shifted from Banaswadi to Baiyappanahalli terminal.

A formal inauguration of the terminal will be done at a later stage by the Prime Minister. The South Western Railway (SWR) is waiting for a date from the Prime Minister’s Office, sources said.

The fancy terminal made headlines last year for amenities that passengers are going to get once it becomes operational including centralised AC, airport-like look and others. However, the terminal was not put to use as there was no road network available connecting it from Banaswadi side and Old Madras Road.

In January, a railway overbridge at Baiyappanahalli opened connecting Old Madras Road (near S.V. Road metro station). Rail activists and generals had questioned the delay in opening the terminal.

However, SWR officials had maintained that in addition to road links, factors such as pandemic and operational issues delayed opening of the terminal. They had also maintained that the terminal has been in use for stabling for rakes, maintenance and others.