Bappanahalli Terminal: Railways says there is no proposal to collect user fees

When it opens for commercial operations, Sir M. at Bappanahalli. Visvesvaraya Terminal, built on the lines of Kempegowda International Airport with centralized air conditioning, will be one of the most beautiful terminals in the country. But ever since its state-of-the-art infrastructure made headlines, questions have arisen as to whether the railways will charge user fees from passengers.

Keeping these concerns to rest, Naresh Salecha, Member-Finance, Railway Board and ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India, who visited the terminal on Saturday, told the media that there was no proposal to levy a user fee.

Railways have spent ₹ 314 crore to build the terminal, which is spread over 4,200 sqm and can seat 50,000 passengers per day. After his visit on Saturday, Mr. Salecha said that it gives the impression of being at the airport in Bengaluru, Hyderabad or any other city.

“Facilities like a waiting room, ticket counter, green initiative and others are at par with facilities available at the airport.”

When asked about the possible date of its opening, he said, “It will happen soon.” South Western Railway, which had initially planned to open the terminal by 15 March, is waiting for the green signal from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Divisional Railway Manager (Bengaluru Division) Ashok Kumar Verma said that the terminal would be handed over to the Vikas Nigam Limited of Indian Railway Stations.