Overview
Bengaluru Cantonment railway station (station code: BNC) is a railway station serving the central and northern parts of the city of Bengaluru in the Indian state of Karnataka. Located in the Cantonment area of the city, it is one of the principal railway stations of Bengaluru, alongside KSR Bengaluru City Junction and Yesvantpur Junction. The station is administered by the Bengaluru Division of South Western Railway, a zone of Indian Railways.
Key facts
| Station name | Bengaluru Cantonment |
|---|---|
| Station code | BNC |
| Location | Cantonment area, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Owner | Indian Railways |
| Operator | South Western Railway |
| Division | Bengaluru |
| Line | Bengaluru–Jolarpettai line, lines towards Yesvantpur and KSR Bengaluru City |
| Track gauge | Broad gauge (1,676 mm) |
| Electrified | Yes |
Background
The station takes its name from the historic Bengaluru Cantonment, an area that developed as a British military settlement in the 19th century, separate from the older walled "Pete" area of the city. Rail access to this part of Bengaluru dates from the era when the Madras Railway extended a line connecting Bengaluru with Jolarpettai in present-day Tamil Nadu, providing a link to Madras (now Chennai). With the growth of the Cantonment as a residential and commercial district, the station became an important entry point for travellers arriving in Bengaluru.
Layout and facilities
The station has multiple platforms handling long-distance, intercity and suburban services. It lies on the through route used by trains entering and leaving Bengaluru in the direction of Jolarpettai, Chennai and other points east, which makes it a convenient halt for passengers bound for the Cantonment, MG Road, Shivajinagar and adjoining localities. Standard passenger amenities include reservation counters, waiting halls, foot overbridges, and parking. The station is connected to the rest of the city by BMTC bus services, autorickshaws, and taxis, and lies within the broader public transport network of the city alongside the Namma Metro.
Services
Bengaluru Cantonment serves a wide range of trains, including superfast and express services to destinations such as Chennai, Mysuru, Hubballi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata and various centres in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Many trains terminating at KSR Bengaluru City Junction or originating from Yesvantpur make a commercial halt here. The station also handles passenger and MEMU services that form part of Bengaluru's suburban rail operations.
Significance
Owing to its central location, Bengaluru Cantonment is often the preferred boarding or alighting point for residents of north and central Bengaluru, including areas such as Shivajinagar, Frazer Town, Cox Town, Cooke Town and Vasanth Nagar. The station has been identified as part of various redevelopment proposals under Indian Railways' modernisation programmes intended to upgrade major urban stations.
Related topics
- KSR Bengaluru City Junction
- Yesvantpur Junction railway station
- Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna railway station
- South Western Railway zone
- Bengaluru Suburban Railway
- Namma Metro
- Transport in Bengaluru
References
- Wikidata entity: Q17049564
- Indian Railways – South Western Railway zone, Bengaluru Division.