Bengaluru’s airport-model railway terminal battles ticket chaos, poor upkeep

Bengaluru's Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT), India's first fully air-conditioned railway terminal with airport-like infrastructure, is struggling with ticket chaos and poor amenities four years after opening, The Times of India reports. During peak hours Thursday night, ticket counters were shut, forcing passengers to rely on three automatic ticket vending machines with no staff assistance. An RPF officer announced no more unreserved tickets for the Guwahati Express due to overcrowding.

South Western Railway denied a technical glitch, saying general ticket sales for that train were temporarily stopped to avoid overcrowding. Over 100 passengers, including women and children, were seen sleeping on the floor. The terminal's air-conditioned sleeping zone, starting at Rs 500, is unaffordable for daily-wage migrant workers. Despite SWR's claims that the air-conditioning is functional, passengers inside were sweating.

SWR said a new booking office, waiting halls, retiring rooms and dormitories have been sanctioned at Rs 17.1 crore and work is in progress. Daily average footfall at the station rose from 11,691 in 2022-23 to 36,022 in 2025-26.